Three teams are reportedly interested in Canucks winger Conor Garland, the Flyers are willing to take on big contracts from cap-strapped clubs plus the latest on Steven Stamkos, Noah Hanifin and Shane Pinto in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THREE CLUBS LINKED TO GARLAND

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators are among the teams believed to be interested in Conor Garland. The Vancouver Canucks recently gave permission to the 27-year-old winger’s agent to speak with other clubs about a trade.

Friedman claims the Canucks want to open up between $1 million and $2 million in cap space. They would prefer to get a defenseman in return for Garland, who carries an average annual value of $4.95 million through 2025-26 and lacks a no-trade clause in his contract.

Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have a logjam on defense and are reportedly speaking with teams about moving a blueliner. I suggested that Garland might be a fit if the Jackets are willing to move a right-shot rearguard like Adam Boqvist or Andrew Peeke.

The Jets have $2.3 million in cap space but I don’t think they have any right-shot rearguards they can spare. With $7.9 million in cap room, the Predators can easily absorb Garland’s cap hit. Dante Fabbro has come up in trade rumors over the past year or so but they could be reluctant to move him since he’s currently skating on their top defense pair.

FLYERS WILLING TO TAKE ON CONTRACTS FOR A PRICE

TSN: During an appearance on Friday with TSN 1200 in Ottawa, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere indicated his club might be willing to help cap-strapped teams looking to shed salary.

“I’ve talked to many teams, and I’ve let them know there’s a possibility for us to help them (clear up cap space) if they’re able to help us on the back end with some younger guys,” said Briere.

The Flyers have less than $1 million in cap space but could open up more room by placing players on long-term injury reserve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers currently have Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve.

A back injury has sidelined Ellis since November 2021 and he’s not expected to return to action. The Flyers haven’t had any need yet to place him on long-term injury reserve but could do so at any point this season if pressed for cap space. He carries an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Ristolainen was placed on IR with an undisclosed injury before the start of the season. He carries an AAV of $5.1 million. There’s no indication yet that his condition would warrant placing him on LTIR. If it does, that would create over $11 million in LTIR-generated cap room for the Flyers.

THE LATEST BLURBS ON STAMKOS AND HANIFIN

NEW YORK POST: With Mark Scheifele off next summer’s free-agent market, Larry Brooks wonders if the Boston Bruins might target Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos as a playoff rental target to address their first-line center role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks was referring to Lightning management appearing to play hardball with Stamkos over a contract extension.

The Lightning could put Stamkos on the block near the March 8 trade deadline if they fall out of playoff contention and he agrees to waive his full no-movement clause. That’s unlikely but I don’t rule it out.

Stamkos, however, might not address the Bruins’ need at center. He’s played more as a left wing in recent years. He seems more comfortable in that position as it gives him better scoring opportunities with his one-timer.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Julian McKenzie was asked if Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy would “have the guts” to move Noah Hanifin at the trade deadline if the club was in a playoff spot at that time.

McKenzie doubted that Conroy would do it. He pointed out that the Flames core needs to be successful over the next few seasons. To do that, they need to add rather than subtract. He expects Conroy will be patient with Hanifin depending on how things work out with Elias Lindholm.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hanifin has indicated that he remains open to a contract extension. In other words, he’s also going to be patient in gauging the Flames’ performance this season.

NO CHANGE IN PINTO’S STATUS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports there’s no change in Shane Pinto’s contract talks with the Ottawa Senators. It’s believed that the 22-year-old center has not asked for a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Senators fans seem to be growing impatient over management’s inability to get Pinto under contract. They chanted, “We want Pinto!” at one point during yesterday’s 5-2 home-opening win over the Philadelphia Flyers.