Arizona Coyotes give Conor Garland two-year extension

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Arizona Coyotes right wing Conor Garland (83) skates with the puck during the NHL hockey game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Arizona Coyotes on February 24, 2019 at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Arizona Coyotes right wing Conor Garland (83) skates with the puck during the NHL hockey game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Arizona Coyotes on February 24, 2019 at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Arizona Coyotes have today announced that they have signed a new two-year extension with impressive young forward Conor Garland.

The deal sees Conor Garland remain with the Arizona Coyotes until 2021 after the 22-year-old has had a breakout season with the NHL club.

Per the club’s official policy regarding contracts, financial details of the deal have not been announced – though CapFriendly has Garland listed as holding an unconfirmed AAV and cap hit of $775,000.

Garland has made huge strides in his career since being selected by the Coyotes in the fifth round (123rd overall) of the 2015 draft.

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Drafted as a 19-year-old in 2015 after registering 129 points (35 goals, 94 assists) in 67 regular season games with the Moncton Wildcats, Garland followed up his draft year with 128 points (39 goals, 89 assists) in 62 games in the QMJHL.

The Scituate, Massachusetts native then spent the next two seasons as a full member of the Tucson Roadrunner – where he made 110 regular season games, earning 13 goals and 41 total points.

While not great numbers, Garland had a strong showing in the playoffs during the 2017/18 season – earning a goal and four assists in nine games.

The 2018/19 season has seen Garland’s develop come on leaps and bounds – with 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 18 games in the AHL helping to bump him up to the NHL squad.

Since joining the Arizona Coyotes line-up, Garland has become an integral player – scoring 12 goals and 15 total points in 36 regular season games.

Garland’s 12 goals are joint-third on the team, two behind leader Alex Galchenyuk, with the American winger most recently playing on a line with Richard Panik and the returning Christian Dvorak.

His impressive goals tally is also impressive considering he has averaged just 12:43 on the ice this season – potentially being just a snap-shot of what he is capable of achieving with Rick Tocchet’s team.

With such a low potential cap hit (which is subject to change once details become known), Garland could be one of the best bargains for the teams by the time the deal is up.

If he continues his impressive development, Garland will see his minutes increase next season and he will be a mainstay in the line-up from day one of the 2019/20 season.

Until then, he will be focused on helping the Arizona Coyotes push towards a playoff space, with a small combination of results potentially having a significant impact on the team’s final standings.

What do you think of this news Coyotes fans? Are you delighted to see Garland locked up for another two years and for a potentially very cheap contract? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!