Arizona Coyotes getting excellent production from Conor Garland
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes haven’t had many positives to talk about this season, but Conor Garland is certainly one that they can.
Garland has been in exceptional form for a team that has struggled to score at times this season, quickly climbing the Arizona Coyotes scoring table after just 16 games.
Garland started the season playing for the Coyotes’ AHL affiliates the Tucson Roadrunners, producing at more than a point-per-game in the minors.
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In 18 regular season games, Garland has 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists), earning himself a place in the AHL All-Star Classic at the end of January.
And early impressions have shown that the 22-year-old has taken his strong form in the minors into his brief spell in the NHL.
In just 16 regular season games, Garland has six goals and eight total points while playing just 12:59 on average – with a shooting success rate of 14.3% – good for fourth on the team of players that have played at least 15 games.
He has good possession numbers, with a 52.7% Corsi rating, while playing somewhat sheltered minutes – starting in the offensive zone 52.7% of the time so far.
He has, however, performed some defensive duties well despite being predominantly an offensive forward – blocking five shots, throwing eight hits and having six takeaways so far in his rookie campaign in the big league.
The team have had a middling season so far, with an injury curse contributing to the black cloud that has hung over the team at times this year, but Garland has started to emerge as a strong silver lining – with a bright future ahead after already showing he is ready to make the step up on a permanent basis.
Having Garland in the team didn’t seem to be in the plans before the start of the season, but his performances in recent weeks, including a two-goal game in the blowout victory over the New York Rangers, now makes him a mainstay that the team couldn’t do without.
Next. Brad Richardson listed week-to-week. dark
What do you think of Garland’s emergence for the Arizona Coyotes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!