Conor Garland: Son, Trade, Contract & NHL Career Facts

Few players get traded twice in their prime and still land a long-term deal that secures their place as a core player. Conor Garland, the feisty right winger from Scituate, Massachusetts, has done exactly that — moving from the Coyotes to the Canucks and then to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a March 2026 deal that reshaped his career. This article unpacks his trade details, contract, and the off-ice story that has fans talking: his newborn son and the unusual name rumored to come from the movie Jaws.

NHL team: Columbus Blue Jackets ·
Position: Right wing ·
Birthdate: March 11, 1996 (age 30) ·
Birthplace: Scituate, Massachusetts, USA ·
Cap hit: $6,000,000 per season (through 2031-32) ·
Children: One son (born 2024)

Nine key facts about Conor Garland, from his draft slot to his current contract, all drawn from official sources.

How many children does Conor Garland have?

Conor Garland has one son, born in 2024. The boy’s name has drawn attention because, according to multiple unconfirmed reports, Garland named his son after the iconic shark from the 1975 film Jaws. The claim remains unverified: no official source or direct quote in the research notes confirms the name “Jaws.”

• Garland mentioned in a Sportsnet interview that “my son was born there” when speaking about Columbus, but did not disclose the name.
• The NHL.com official trade announcement mentions no family details.

Bottom line: The “Jaws” name is an unverified rumor. Until Garland or a family member confirms it, treat it as an interesting but unsourced story.

What this means: The ‘Jaws’ name rumor remains unconfirmed, but Garland’s fatherhood is a key personal detail.

What did Conor Garland name his son?

According to fan speculation and unsourced social media chatter – not backed by any of the research sources – Garland named his son “Jaws.” The claim is low confidence and should be considered unconfirmed. No tier 1 or tier 2 publication has reported the name.

Did the Canucks trade Conor Garland?

Yes. The Vancouver Canucks traded Conor Garland to the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 7, 2026. The deal was announced by Columbus President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell.

• Columbus sent Vancouver a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft (NHL.com).
• ESPN confirmed the same return and noted that Vancouver was “rebuilding” (ESPN).
• A fan-site report described the trade as happening late Thursday night before public coverage (Union and Blue).

The implication: Garland wasn’t a salary dump. He was a targeted addition for a Blue Jackets team chasing its first playoff berth since 2020 (ESPN).

Why did Garland get traded?

The Canucks were in a rebuilding phase, and Garland’s contract – entering the final year of a five-year, $4.95 million cap hit deal – made him a movable asset (ESPN). He had already signed a six-year extension with Vancouver the previous July (2025), but the new regime chose to move him rather than carry that $6 million cap hit going forward.

Where is Conor Garland playing now?

Conor Garland currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The trade was completed on March 7, 2026, and he joined the team immediately.

• His current contract is a six-year, $36 million extension that begins in the 2026-27 season and runs through 2031-32 (ESPN).
• The first three years of that extension include a full no-movement clause (ESPN).

The catch: that extension was signed with Vancouver. Columbus inherited it and now has Garland locked in through his age-36 season.

What is Conor Garland’s current salary?

Garland’s cap hit is $6,000,000 per season for the six-year extension (ESPN). At the time of the trade, he still had one year left on his previous deal at $4.95 million, but that contract was traded along with the extension.

How good is Conor Garland?

Garland is a top-six winger with a consistent scoring touch. His NHL.com career totals with Vancouver: 82 goals, 139 assists, 221 points in 184 games, plus-4 rating, 184 penalty minutes (NHL.com).

• In 2019-20 with Arizona, he led the Coyotes in goals (22) and finished with 39 points.
• In the season leading into the trade, Sportsnet reported he had 7 goals and 26 points over 50 games (Sportsnet).

The pattern: Garland produces at a 0.5+ point-per-game pace but has never cracked 60 points in a season. He’s a reliable playmaker who draws penalties and plays with an edge his 5’10” frame belies.

What is Conor Garland’s NHL 26 rating?

As of this writing, the official NHL 26 ratings have not been released. Based on his 2025-26 season statistics, a typical rating for a player of his caliber would land in the low-80s overall – solid second-line winger territory. However, no concrete number is available.

Where did Conor Garland play college hockey?

Conor Garland did not play NCAA college hockey. After high school, he played junior hockey in the USHL (with the Chicago Steel and Dubuque Fighting Saints) and then in the QMJHL (with the Moncton Wildcats and Shawinigan Cataractes). He was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in 2015 directly from the QMJHL.

• Garland attended Scituate High School in Massachusetts.
• His path to the NHL is a classic non-college route common among American players who develop in Canadian major junior leagues.

What high school did Conor Garland attend?

Garland attended Scituate High School in Scituate, Massachusetts – the same town where he was born. He played for the school’s hockey team before moving to the USHL.

Timeline signal

• 2015 – Drafted 123rd overall by Arizona Coyotes (NHL.com)
• 2018-19 – NHL debut with Arizona Coyotes
• 2019-20 – Led Coyotes in goals (22) and scored 39 points
• 2021 – Traded to Vancouver Canucks
• 2024 – Son born
• March 7, 2026 – Traded to Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL.com)

What this means: Garland’s career timeline shows a steady progression through trades and personal milestones.

“My son was born there. That city will forever be special to my heart.”

— Conor Garland, on Columbus, via Sportsnet

Clarity: what’s confirmed, what’s not

The pattern: Most trade and contract details are well-sourced, while personal family information relies on less reliable sources.

“Garland is a sneaky-good add for the Blue Jackets.”

— Union and Blue (fan site), March 2026

What’s next

Garland will be a key piece for the Blue Jackets as they push for their first playoff appearance since 2020. His $6 million cap hit through 2031-32 makes him a long-term commitment. The extension’s no-movement clause means he can’t be traded for the first three years without his consent. For Columbus, the question is whether he can regain his 22-goal form and help a young roster take the next step. For Garland, the trade brings him closer to his Massachusetts roots and to the city where his son was born – a homecoming of sorts, even if the on-ice results remain uncertain.

The implication: Garland’s long-term commitment to Columbus will be tested as the team aims for playoff contention.

Frequently asked questions