NHL Rumors: Kings & Canucks Emerging as Trade Partners

The Vancouver Canucks were busy on Sunday and word is Monday we'll see just as much action out of the organization as they continue to discuss deals with other teams. President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford is never shy to make a bold move and it sounds like there could be one on the way with the Los Angeles Kings. The two sides continue to have conversations regarding a trade centered around forward Conor Garland.

Garland is enjoying his first season with the Canucks after some dismal years with the Arizona Coyotes franchise. The 26-year-old is a shifty winger who loves to muck it up in the dirty areas of the ice and plays a game much bigger than his frame. Garland is on the smallish side of NHL forwards, coming in at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds and some call that a stretch. He's managed to collect 33 points in 59 games so far in 2021-22 and is signed through the 20125-26 season at a $4.95 million cap hit.

The Kings have surprised many this season and currently sit second in the pacific division. General manager Rob Blake is trying to land some players with term as he's not interested in moving any of his young players or high draft picks for rentals.

The Canucks on the other hand have been busy the last couple of days moving out defenseman Travis Hamonic and acquiring Travis Dermott from the Toronto Maple Leafs. They also have Tanner Pearson and Jaroslav Halak who they are trying to move ahead of the trade deadline. Keep an eye on these two teams, their expected to be in the mix on Monday.