Conor Garland
Position: RW/LW
Age: 26
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 165 lbs
Statistics: 10 goals, 17 assists, 27 points (52 games played)
Background
Conor Garland is 26 years old and plays left and right wing for the Vancouver Canucks. The Devils targeted Garland last season and over the summer, but couldn’t put a deal together with Vancouver. The Canucks have had a disappointing season so far and are up against the cap, which means they are once again deadline sellers.
After trading captain Bo Horvat to the Islanders in a blockbuster deal, it appears the next trade chips for Vancouver are Brock Boeser and Conor Garland. According to Harman Dayal of the Athletic, Garland has fallen out of favor with the new Canucks front office, and they’re looking to wriggle out from under his contract to create cap space.
The Statistics
Garland has played 289 games across five seasons, scoring 47 goals and 96 points. This year, he’s scored ten goals and 27 points across 52 games. He has also notched a 50.73 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 48.47 expected goals-for percentage (xG%). These aren’t great numbers for a player the Devils would target as a top-six option, but they are serviceable for someone who plays on a bad team like the Canucks.
Analytically, Garland is a mixed bag. His offense has been a liability this season – he’s operating below replacement level on that front – but he’s been strong on defense, scoring in the 87th percentile. At 5’10” and 165 lbs, he isn’t a physical presence, but he makes gritty plays that raise his defensive game.
This year appears to be a bit of an outlier though. Over the previous three seasons (2020-2022), Garland’s on-ice offensive impacts rank in the league’s 77th percentile. As the above shows, this season is not a good indicator of Garland’s career thus far.
Contract
According to Dom Luszczysyn of the Athletic, Conor Garland’s market value is currently at $4,300,000, which means he is being ‘overpaid’ by about $700,000. Which, given his down season, isn’t too bad.
Garland, at 26 years old, still has three more years after this season under contract. His annual salary is $4,950,000.
Where Does He Fit?
The item at the top of general manager Tom Fitzgerald’s deadline shopping list is a bonafide top-six winger. It’s become clear that Erik Haula, and for that matter Yegor Sharangovich, aren’t viable long-term options on the second line. Garland would definitely give Jack Hughes a better outlet than Haula.
Would a Deal Make Sense?
In all likelihood, New Jersey will not pursue a deal for Conor Garland at the trade deadline. He does check a lot of Fitzgerald’s boxes: he’s young, has team control, and he may come on the cheap considering Vancouver’s cap crunch and down season.
But, if the Devils pursue a top-six option, they’ll want a piece to put them over the top. Given Garland’s mediocre play this season, he may not be the guy to do that. Instead, the Devils should focus on acquiring a true asset such as Timo Meier of the Sharks or even Garland’s teammate, Brock Boeser.
However, if a deal doesn’t surface, Garland could be a cheap, better-than-nothing option.