Conor Garland Trade Destination Becoming More Clear After Big Injury

It's well known that the Vancouver Canucks are trying to trade Conor Garland and need defense, but it is tough to get a trade done at this time of the season. The cap is tight for many teams, but needs still need to be met for certain teams.

Garland and his agent are also in on finding a new team to play for and while the Washington Capitals desperately need a top-six winger who can produce any points, they aren't the most likely destination for Garland to be traded to at this time.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were already believed to be one of the top three teams in on the Canucks' winger due to the amount of NHL defensemen on the roster that they could use to acquire help and the young roster that might not quite be there. A Canucks and Blue Jackets trade is lining up to be the perfect match as someone like Andrew Peeke or Adam Boqvist could be headed to the Canucks to shore up the bottom pair while the Blue Jackets get help, especially with the Patrik Laine injury.

If the Blue Jackets weren't the leading suitor before and were just mulling over their options, they might want to make a move now that one of their top scorers will be missing for some time out of their lineup. Laine has always had trouble staying healthy, and this season has started no different. The Blue Jackets have started better and look better than last season, so it would be a shame if they sat back and sunk again.