The Columbus Blue Jackets started NHL trade deadline day with a bang by acquiring winger Conor Garland from Vancouver.

Just after midnight Friday, they sent a third-round pick in the draft this year and a 2028 second-rounder to the Canucks for the soon-to-be 30-year-old who drew interest from multiple Eastern Conference contenders.

“Conor is a versatile player who brings great energy to the lineup every night,” Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. “He has tremendous character, plays a reliable two-way game and will be an important part of our club now and in the future.”

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Garland has seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points in 50 games this season. He's signed through 2032 at a salary cap hit of $6 million, a contract that begins in 2026-27.

The Blue Jackets moved one point back of the second and final wild-card spot in the East by beating back-to-back champion Florida on the eve of the deadline.

Garland was one of the top available players left on the market after a flurry of activity Thursday, which including Western Stanley Cup contenders Colorado, Dallas, Vegas and Minnesota all making a move.

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The New York Rangers still have center Vincent Trocheck to potentially move before the deadline at 3 p.m. EST. After playing and beating Toronto on Thursday night, they agreed to trade Sam Carrick to Buffalo and still could have more to sell.

The Panthers also remain a team to watch in the final hours, sitting 10 points out of a playoff position with 20 games to play. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is a pending free agent, though depth forward A.J. Greer appears more likely to get traded.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 06, 2026 11:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).