Arizona’s Conor Garland Proves His Head’s In The Game

The calculators will be out in full force from now until the end of the NHL season as fans will be trying to keep up with the playoff chances of their favorite team. And yes, this even includes those out in Arizona as the Coyotes have only a slim shot at the postseason due to injuries and underperforming players this year. But hey, they’re still mathematically in the hunt!

It’s deja vu all over again out Phoenix way though as the club has missed the playoffs six years running and 13 times since joining the league in 1996/97.

Fans need to celebrate the high points each year because there hasn’t been too many of them lately. Although, there has been a reason for optimism recently because of the fine play of 22-year-old winger Conor Garland. He didn’t make his NHL debut until December 8^th, but has been a bright light in a dark tunnel with his play since being called up.

The youngster had pitched in with eight goals and 10 points after 19 games and was a plus-5. He was on pace for 23 goals in just 55 games this season even though he was averaging just 12:48 minutes of ice time per night. He’s obviously getting more comfortable and used to the NHL game since he went pointless in his first seven outings.

Garland could be one of those rare players who performs better in the big leagues than he does in the minors. He was a scoring star in junior hockey with Moncton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 104 goals and 224 assists for 328 points in 206 contests. However, after being drafted in the fifth round with the 123^rd overall pick in 2015 he produced just 13 goals and 41 points in 110 encounters with the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League.

Considering he led the Quebec and Canadian Hockey Leagues in scoring in 2014/15 and 2015/16 and was a First-Team All-Star in Quebec both seasons, his numbers in the AHL were underwhelming to say the least. Garland did appear to be getting the hang of the pro game in Tucson earlier this season as he posted eight goals and 19 points in 18 games. He had just five and eight goals in 55 outings in each of his first two campaigns.

The youngster has equaled his best pro season with his output of eight markers for Arizona already. For some reason he’s had no problem adjusting to the NHL whereas it took quite a while to get used to the AHL. He isn’t just concentrating on the offensive side of the game with Arizona either as he’s been pretty active at takeaways, throwing hits and blocking shots.

Arizona called him up because of a slew of injuries and unbeknownst to the team it may be the best move its made all year. Of course, the onus is now on Garland to continue his inspired play and take full advantage of his call-up situation.

Ironically, injuries also played a part in Garland starting the current season in the AHL in the first place. It looked like he had a good shot at making the opening-night roster, but then broke a hand and was sent down to Tucson. To his credit, Garland worked his tail off in the AHL early this year and appeared to be vastly improved when compared to his first two campaigns in the league.

Garland has been a much better playmaker than goal scorer during his career, but he’s been the opposite in the NHL. He’s not afraid to shoot the puck and drive to the net with Arizona even though he’s just 5-feet-10-inches tall and tips the weigh scales at 165 lbs. He’s impressed head coach Rick Tocchet with his energy and enthusiasm in front of the net and it’s also paid dividends.

In a Jan. 12^th win over the Edmonton Oilers Garland scored one goal off of his head and another went in off of his leg. If you’re tallying in the NHL without even using your stick then luck is definitely on your side. He paid the price for his hard work though with several stitches to his head after the first goal, but was right back on the ice after being patched up.

Tocchet took note of the player’s heart and told Azcentral.com, “If you look at his goals too, I don’t care if they were off his head or pants or not. He was in front of the net and they go in. I give him a lot of credit because he’s in front of the net and he’s a small guy.”

It looks like Garland has worked on his skating while in the AHL and that’s allowing him to compete in the NHL, especially since many of the league’s defensemen are now on the smaller side. His determined play with the Coyotes means it’ll be quite surprising if he’s returned to the AHL. Forward Nick Schmaltz has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury while Christian Dvorak has yet to play and Michael Grabner is close to returning.

Injuries have been cruel to the Coyotes in 2018/19 and with the final playoff push coming up the club needs Garland’s scoring touch and drive. He’s had a positive impact on the squad even if he doesn’t get his name on the scoresheet and the type of desperation he brings to each shift is exactly what Arizona needs right now.

There’s no guarantee that Garland can keep it up, but he’s at least earned the chance to roam the Arizona desert with the Coyotes rather than the Roadrunners.