Background

Conor Garland is 26 years old and plays left and right wing for the Vancouver Canucks, who acquired him in a blockbuster deal with the Arizona Coyotes last summer that also included Oliver Ekman-Larson. Shortly after, the Canucks signed the restricted free agent to a five-year, $24,750,000 contract with an average annual value of $4,950,000. He is under contract through the 2025-26 season.

After a mediocre start, the Canucks reportedly made Garland available at the trade deadline. The Devils were connected to him, but nothing came of the rumors. He is still reportedly available.

Statistics

Over his four NHL seasons, Conor Garland has played 241 games, including a respectable 77 in his first uninterrupted season since 2018-19. Garland scored 17 goals and notched 47 points in the 2021-22 season, numbers hindered by a couple of midseason slumps. Additionally, Garland posted a Corsi-for percentage (CF%) of 53.05 and an expected goal percentage (xG%) of 54.52. Both very strong numbers.

His underlying analytics, however, illustrate a much more positive image. As shown above, his total goals above replacement (GAR) ranked in the 92nd percentile, with his offense and defense ranking in the 76th and 91st percentiles, respectively. He got top-six level ice time at even strength and, though he was below replacement level on the powerplay, he still received a decent amount of playing time on that unit. 

Overall, Garland has been a top-six, two-way forward who makes a defined impact on the ice despite his more mediocre surface-level numbers. 

Where Does Garland Fit In?

Forward Depth Chart

Yegor Sharangovich	Jack Hughes	Jesper Bratt (RFA)
Pavel Zacha (RFA)	Nico Hischier	Alecander Holtz
Tomas Tatar	Dawson Mercer	Andreas Johnnson
Miles Wood (RFA)	Michael McLeod	Nathan Bastian

This is a loose structure of the Devils’ offense as of the start of the offseason. Right now, Pavel Zacha is slotted into the left-wing position on the second line, but after his struggles this year and his RFA status he may not be back next season (and could even be part of the trade for Garland). The only other true option to replace him is Nolan Foote, which wouldn’t be ideal. Therefore, Conor Garland would fit in nicely on the second line, creating a fearsome trio of Garland, Hischier, and either Jesper Bratt or Alexander Holtz (potentially).

What Is His Price?

The Devils have a few trade chips they can spend to pry Garland from Vancouver. The first and most obvious one is Pavel Zacha, who could desperately use a change of team after his recent struggles and would serve nicely as a replacement for Garland in the Canucks’ system. 

Additionally, Patrick Johnston of The Providence linked defensemen Ty Smith and Damon Severson as possible trade targets back before the deadline. Damon Severson is a big ask as he was the Devils’ best defenseman last year, but Ty Smith is a very realistic option. Smith has never found his way defensively in the NHL and took a major step back offensively this past season. However, he’s young and still has good top-four potential.

Of course, New Jersey would likely have to include future picks. A first round pick would most likely not be necessary, nor should it if the likes of Ty Smith and/or Pavel Zacha are included. A high-to-mid level pick(s) would most likely do.

Should the Devils Pursue Conor Garland?

Given the right price, yes, the Devils should pursue Garland as he fits in perfectly as Zacha’s replacement in the top-six. Garland is young and has term, so he may command a higher price than the Devils are willing to offer. However, an ideal trade may have Conor Garland coming from the Canucks and Pavel Zacha and Ty Smith along with a couple picks from the Devils. Of course, predicting a trade, especially for a young player with term, is tricky, so the actual trade may look radically different.

Note: statistics sourced from Evolving Hockey and Natural Statrick. Contracts sourced from CapFriendly.