The Boston Bruins find themselves trying to gain ground in the Atlantic Division standings with the March 21 NHL trade deadline right around the corner.
There are some trade targets that would make sense for Boston to look into. We’ll examine a few possible Bruins trade targets and offer a verdict on whether the team should make the move. Next up: Conor Garland.
The hysteria surrounding the NHL trade deadline is heightening with moves beginning to be made throughout the league. Boston has the potential to be a Stanley Cup contender but probably still is a move or two away from its final form heading into the playoff run.
The Bruins can and should look to address needs on both sides of the ice. We’ve provided in-depth looks at potential additions on the defensive side with Seattle Kraken defenseman Mike Giordano and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nick Leddy, so it’s time we check out some offensive options beginning with Vancouver Canucks right winger Conor Garland.
Let’s dissect if Garland would be a good fit for the Black and Gold:
Age: 26
Position: Right wing
2022 stats: 14 goals, 18 assists, 32 points, 13 plus/minus, averaging 16:08 time on ice
Contract status: $4.95 million cap hit, signed through 2025-26 season
Have they already been linked to the B’s?: Yes
Pros
Garland is a player who was linked to the Bruins during his tenure with the Arizona Coyotes. Garland, who is on pace to eclipse his career-high in points (39), fits in the middle of any lineup. He has played the majority of the 2021-22 season on the first line alongside center J.T. Miller. Garland plays a gritty style, filling into the tougher areas while using his speed to generate offense. Vancouver signed Garland to a five-year, $24.75 million deal this past offseason meaning whoever lands him will receive a right winger with plenty of term on his contract.
Oh, and Garland is a native of Scituate, Mass. which certainly would be viewed as a plus.
Cons
Garland isn’t going to come cheap. The market was set for non-rental players when the Calgary Flames traded for Tyler Toffoli, acquiring him from the Montreal Canadiens for Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman as well as 2022 first-round pick and 2023 fifth-rounder. Garland is three years younger than Toffoli and has an extra year on his contract, adding value to an already sizable deal. The Bruins likely would turn elsewhere if the asking price for the Canucks forward is too much.
The cap hit, on the other hand, is team-friendly for a player in his prime years, but it’s going to take a lot to poach Garland from the Canucks.
Verdict
Garland could prove expensive, but worth the price with how he plays and future contract. There’s a reason that the Bruins have been connected to him in the past and after nearly being a point-per-game player in the 2020-21 season as a member of the Coyotes, Garland would be a great fit for the Black and Gold as they attempt to make a run in the playoffs.
