Bold takeaway: The Islanders are edging toward a blockbuster move to reshape their forward lineup, with Conor Garland at the center of the talks and a potential side deal that could bring in Tyler Myers, pending waivers and salary adjustments. Now, here’s how it all stacks up and why it matters.
The latest reports place the Islanders as serious contenders to land winger Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks. There’s also chatter that defenseman Tyler Myers could join the deal if he agrees to waive his no-movement clause, a sticking point that has lingered since he was removed from Vancouver’s lineup to reduce injury risk.
New developments show the Isles as the leading suitors, though nothing is signed yet. Their pursuit comes as they seek to extend term with new pieces after adding Ondrej Palat and Carson Soucy in recent trades, and GM Mathieu Darche has indicated a willingness to move a first-round pick to strengthen the team as they push toward the playoffs.
The Islanders have endured notable injuries that tested their depth early in the season. Alexander Romanov and Kyle Palmieri sustained season-ending injuries, though Romanov could be a postseason option if he recovers in time for a potential first-round series. Soucy and Palat have delivered affordable upgrades, helping the team climb back into playoff contention, with MoneyPuck estimating their playoff chances at about 75% after the midseason moves.
Darche’s goal is to reward the team for weathering those blows and to keep building a competitive core. With defenseman Matthew Schaefer emerging as a franchise cornerstone, the front office will weigh what it’s willing to trade to boost offense, which sits 21st in the league at 2.92 goals per game.
Garland would be a significant boost to the forward group and, given his six-year, $36 million extension signed last year, he isn’t simply a rental. He would provide immediate help this season and serve as a controllable asset for next year and beyond if the Isles can’t lock up UFAs Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau by July 1.
Questions linger about Garland’s 2023-24 performance, which has him below his usual production. At 5’10”, the winger hasn’t been a prolific finisher, instead relying on a strong workload to produce around 20 goals per season. This year his shooting percentage has dipped to 6.8%, leaving him with just seven goals in 49 games and 25 points overall—his weakest per-game output since his rookie season in Arizona.
Historically, Garland has been steadier from 2019 through 2025, with a notable peak in the shortened 2020-21 season. Last year’s 19 goals and 50 points were close to personal bests and demonstrated his value when healthy and in the right environment.
If the Isles pursue both Garland and Myers, they would need to shed a contract if Vancouver isn’t retaining salary, especially with Garland’s cap hit set to rise from $4.95 million to $6 million next season. One potential piece could be Anthony Duclair, should he be willing to waive his no-trade clause, a possibility that has been floated in recent reports.
Bottom line: a Garland deal could dramatically change the Islanders’ fortunes by adding a proven top-six winger with term, while Myers would bring a short-term defensive upgrade. The question remains: what assets are they willing to part with to seal this deal, and how will the salary math settle if Vancouver’s salary retention isn’t in the cards? As the talks continue, fans and pundits will be watching closely to see if the Contender’s push becomes a reality—and whether these moves unlock their true playoff potential.
Would you prioritize Garland’s long-term value and term over a shorter-term defensive upgrade, or vice versa? Share your thoughts in the comments.
