RUMOR: Head Coach Pushing Hard For Blockbuster Trade

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James Connelly
November 3, 2023 (2:50 PM)

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The NHL landscape is currently wide open but there is a rumor circulating that a head coach is making a strong push for a top-six forward.

St. Louis Pushing For Garland

Conor Garland is a player that has had his name in trade rumors for the past few months. He is currently on a $4.95 million contract for this year and the two after. It is well known that the Canucks are looking to get Garland a fresh start and there are teams interested in the American forward's services.

One of these teams is the Montreal Canadiens specifically after head coach Martin St. Louis has rumored to have campaigned for Garland's services. Eklund of HockeyBuzz.com writes the following:

"I know [the Canadiens] are currently talking to Vancouver about Connor Garland, and would love to make that deal if the Canucks were to take 50% of the salary. Currently I hear that Vancouver is stuck around 30 to 35% of the salary. This feels almost too close of a difference to imagine a deal couldn't get done. Marty St. Louis apparently is pushing hard for this one"

Garland's Similarities To St. Louis

Like St. Louis, Garland is a rather more undersized forward coming in at 5'10" and 165lbs which is relatively slight for an NHLer. However, Garland has a fearless style to his game like St. Louis. Garland always seems to get to the dirty areas to generate scoring opportunities.

Like St. Louis, Garland also requires the right type of system and linemates to succeed. St. Louis started his career out in Calgary where scored 20 points in 69 games before jumping ship to Tampa Bay where he developed into the Hall-of-Famer he currently is. This is not to say that Garland will develop into a superstar in Montreal but rather that he would likely see a healthy jump in production.

Garland currently sits at three points through 10 games this season. This slump to start the season could deplete his value just enough for the Canucks and the Canadiens to find a middle ground and broker the trade St. Louis wants to see.

Originally seen on HockeyBuzz.com - Isles, Habs and Penguins are all currently buyers