The Vancouver Canucks didn’t waste any time getting an extension done for newly-acquired forward Conor Garland. On Tuesday, the team signed the RFA to a five-year extension worth $4.95 million per season. The skilled forward who isn’t afraid to take or lay in a hit had a strong season with the Arizona Coyotes but was moved as part of a trade with Oliver-Ekman Larsson to the Canucks this past week.
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After he was traded, Garland said of his exit from the Coyotes, ““Everybody knows what’s gone on here. We haven’t heard anything from the team since maybe three days after the season ended when they asked for our offer. It’s been a while waiting for that. You just want to go where you’re wanted.” Clearly, the Canucks wanted him.
Early reactions are that this is a good deal for the Canucks. Garland is a top-six forward and has the potential to be a regular producer for the team moving forward. He’s a sniper who is also turning into a playmaker. He’s not going to give you a ton on defense, but he’s still young and can develop that part of his game.
If there’s any concern with this deal, it might be that he’s so physical, but not a big player that he could get injured. He did play 49 games for the Coyotes this season and scored 39 points.
Canucks GM Jim Benning released a short statement after the deal was announced:
We’re pleased to have reached a long-term deal with Conor today. He’s a skilled young player, who plays hard, produces offensively and will complement our top-six forward group.
More details to come.
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