Garland is making a difference despite low production totals.
The debate surrounding Conor Garland's value in the Vancouver Canucks lineup is an interesting one. Some will argue that he isn't producing, as he only has seven points in 22 games, while others will point out that his analytics and non-scoring statistics are among the best on the team. While the first argument is valid, especially considering he has a cap hit of just under $5 million, he is making an impact on this team and is part of the reason why they have had such a successful start to the season.
To illustrate this point, let's dive into some of his non-scoring statistics, starting with takeaways and giveaways. So far this season, Garland sits tied for third on Vancouver's roster with 11 takeaways compared to just two giveaways. He is also just one of five players so far this year with 11+ takeaways and a giveaways per 60 (GvA/60) of under 0.5. With possession being such a critical part of the game, his ability to hold onto the puck is a valuable asset that often gets overlooked.
Now, let's jump over to NHL EDGE to see how Garland stacks up against the rest of the NHL when it comes to zone time. At even strength, the Canucks forward ranks in the 95th percentile when it comes to offensive zone time at 45.1% while ranking in the 94th percentile in defensive zone time at 36.5%. What these statistics tell us is that when the Canucks winger is on the ice, the team doesn't get pinned in their own zone and frequently can hold possession while creating opportunities in the offensive zone. This is even more impressive, considering that he hasn't played a top-six role for most of the season. While he may not have found his scoring touch yet, it is a good sign that he is getting chances and, more importantly, keeping the play away from his goaltender as much as possible.
Lastly, a breakdown of his analytics. Here is a table showing where Garland ranks compared to the 447 players, forwards and defencemen who have played at least 200 minutes at even strength this season:
These analytics reinforce the notion that when he is on the ice, the Canucks can minimize scoring opportunities by their opponents. This is crucial for a team that has had issues keeping the puck out of their own net over the past few years. Add in the fact that he is well above 50% in categories such as xGF%, SCF% and HDCF%; it is clear that he brings value to this lineup on a game-by-game basis.
Garland's value to Vancouver's lineup will remain a hot topic even after he is no longer with the organization. He is a polarizing player, especially after it was revealed earlier this season that the Canucks had permitted him to seek a trade. For now, though, he remains a valuable piece to this lineup, and if he continues to generate chances the way he has, he could be on the verge of a breakout.