As the Canucks accumulate more draft picks and get younger to rebuild their roster, they must decide whether Garland is expendable or dependable.<\/p>\n
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Published Feb 23, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Conor Garland<\/a> is no stranger to the business side of NHL life.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n He was traded here by the Arizona Coyotes in 2021, considered moving on two years later to ease the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>\u2019 roster and salary cap concerns, and now there is some uncertainty about his future in a city that has become his second home.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n As the Canucks consider options to accumulate more draft picks and get younger to rebuild their roster, they must decide whether Garland is expendable or dependable. The 29-year-old culture carrier is on an expiring contract without trade protection before his six-year, $36 million US extension kicks in next season.<\/p>\n The versatile 5-foot-8 winger is well respected, and teams like his fight and bite, but not his new contract term. And there\u2019s the rub. You could argue with the salary cap rising from $95.5 million to $104 million and $113.5 million the next two years, annual average value of his deal becomes less of a burden.<\/p>\n It then becomes how he ages, and missing just two games in the previous three seasons, speaks to durability. That is putting him at ease ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. Postmedia has learned management isn\u2019t actively shopping Garland, but would listen to offers. That\u2019s their job.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fortunate to have matured since my younger days here \u2014 25 or 26 \u2014 and not let the distractions get to me and affect my game,\u201d Garland said following Monday\u2019s practice. \u201cI\u2019m older and have a family and I\u2019m not really on my phone or watching TV with my son.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just kind of play mini-hockey all day and hang out. I\u2019m very fortunate to have distractions in my life that keep it always positive, and you just leave (the speculation) at the door. I just take it day-by-day and had I found my game about three for four games before the break and felt pretty good.<\/p>\n \u201cI stayed on my skates during the break and kept it going.\u201d<\/p>\n Garland leads by the manner in which he approaches his craft. Dutiful and determined, he sets an example, and that\u2019s one aspect of the Canucks\u2019 plan that can\u2019t get lost in the mix. There will be plenty of growing pains before they are competitive on a consistent basis. Who is going to show them the way?<\/p>\n Maybe we shouldn\u2019t be surprised by the chemistry Garland has formed with linemates Liam Ohgren and Teddy Blueger<\/a>. They combined for four points, eight shots and 12 attempts, plus-3 and rating and had nine points in the last two games before the break. And there may be something special brewing with Ohgren.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cLiam is a great player,\u201d added Garland. \u201cHe\u2019s fast and really good through the neutral zone and has a good pull-up game. We\u2019ve had a couple of really good practices and feel really comfortable with our line.\u201d<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s not all roses and plaudits for Garland with the league\u2019s last-place team.<\/p>\n The Canucks have struggled to score, with the 29th-ranked offensive averaging just 2.54 goals per outing. Garland had a 13-game point drought and hasn\u2019t scored in his last 18 games. He has also missed 11 games to various ailments. But that\u2019s part of the game. It takes a toll.<\/p>\n At his best, Garland is that 20-goal guy who can drive your third line, kill penalties, and know his place. Not that it is always a certainty in Vancouver.<\/p>\n Garland appeared expendable in the fall of 2023. He changed agents and pondered whether a change of scenery would help him and the team. His cap hit was $4.95 million for three more seasons, and at the time, that was considerable for a third-line winger.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n That\u2019s when the competitive side of Garland took over.<\/p>\n Despite a glut of wingers vying for roster positions, he just played and seized every day. It wasn\u2019t easy. He buckled down, and his 20-goal campaign helped drive the Canucks to a Pacific Division title and within a victory of the Western Conference final.<\/p>\n Fast forward and the league is in a different place, which could work for Garland.<\/p>\n Speed trumps size, and smaller players are dominating. The 5-foot-8 Cole Caufield is third in NHL goals with 32, and the 5-foot-8 Alex DeBrincat has 30. They are blazing new trails at 25 and 28 years of age respectively. That\u2019s good for the future, but what about now?<\/p>\n What do the Canucks need to accomplish in their remaining 25 games? Motivation could wane for impressionable younger players, and veterans know through experience that the slow slog to the end of a season gone sideways can affect body and mind.<\/p>\n \u201cForm an identity,\u201d stressed Garland. \u201cWhen you\u2019re out (of the playoffs), and in a rebuild to get younger, it\u2019s obviously a tough time with a lot of growth and different types of experience. We have to become a better practice team and what it takes to be a pro.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an audition. There\u2019s lots to play for.\u201d<\/p>\n OVERTIME: Brock Boeser<\/a> was in a red non-contact jersey Monday. He left practice Friday and didn\u2019t practise Saturday because he was ill and the Canucks sought the right diagnosis. He missed five games before the break with concussion symptoms on an illegal check to the head from Bryan Rust in the dying seconds of a 3-2 loss to the Penguins on Jan. 25. Rust received a three-game suspension. Canucks head coach Adam Foote said Boeser\u2019s status was more of a viral concern that concussion related. He\u2019s expected to transition to a regular practice jersey. Kevin Lankinen is stuck in a New York City snowstorm and won\u2019t return from the Olympics in time to back up Nikita Tolopilo on Wednesday against Winnipeg. Jiri Patera will<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks Schedule: Game within the game in spotlight as roster freeze ends<\/p>\n![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cp175170468_299341980.jpg\")
Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland celebrates after scoring against the Stars in Dallas on Oct. 16. The Canucks won 5-3. Photo by Tony Gutierrez \/APArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Conor Garland takes down Lightning defenceman Darren Raddysh during Nov. 16 scrap in Tampa Bay, Fla. Photo by Chris O’meara \/AP<\/p>\n![\"Conor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/png0916-Conor-Garland.jpg\")
Conor Garland with wife Meghan and their 10-month-old son Quinton at their home in Vancouver in September 2025. Photo by Arlen Redekop \/PNG<\/p>\n![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771900643_949_png-0131n-patrickallvin-215.jpg\")
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