Welcome to The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks site’s player preview series for the 2025–26 season. In these articles, we’ll preview the players who are expected to play for the Canucks in the 2025–26 season. Today, we’ll be taking a look at scrappy forward Conor Garland.
Garland’s 2024–25 Season
Since joining the Canucks back in 2021, Garland has been one of the team’s most consistent players. The 2024–25 season was no exception to this rule, as the forward posted his second career 50-point season with Vancouver, tying Brock Boeser for the most points this season by a Canucks forward. He also placed first among Canucks forwards in shots with 172 and penalties drawn with 30 (a stat that had him tied for eighth in the entire NHL).
While most of his offensive stats were pretty standard for his typical play — 19 goals and 31 assists in 81 games — one outlier was his average time on ice. As well as tallying 50 points, Garland took on additional penalty-killing responsibilities this season, resulting in an average of 18:39 minutes played per game. Another stat about Garland’s 2024–25 season that sticks out is the amount of time he spent defending against an empty net. He placed second among current Canucks forwards in this category, with his 16:37 minutes against an empty net coming second to only Teddy Blueger (18:37).
Garland’s 2024–25 Letter Grade
The Hockey News - Canucks site gave Garland an A for his on and off ice performances during the 2024–25 regular season. Regardless of his impact on the offence, the forward puts in his best effort every single night and never takes a shift off. One example of this is Vancouver’s 4–3 loss to the New York Rangers on November 19. Despite welcoming his firstborn the next day, Garland played in this game and was the team’s most noticeable forward with a game-tying goal.
Vancouver clearly sees how much Garland means to the team, having signed him to a six-year, $6M AAV contract extension the day he was eligible to do so. Now that he has been locked down long term, Garland will undoubtedly be part of the team’s core moving forward.
Garland’s 2025–26 Predictions
As mentioned, Garland has been one of the most consistent — if not the most consistent — forwards on the Canucks. With an average of around 50 points per season, Garland is expected to put up a similar number to his past four totals with Vancouver. With that being said, the Canucks’ forward core has shifted since the start of the 2025 off-season, with the team bringing in forward Evander Kane and trading away Garland’s linemate, Dakota Joshua. Center Filip Chytil is expected to be in charge of the second line, though it’s currently unknown who his linemates could be. Depending on how Vancouver’s training camp goes, as well as the opening to the season, Garland could see a boost in second-line minutes.
Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:
Adam Kierszenblat’s Stat Prediction: 20G, 30A, 50P
Izzy Cheung’s Stat Prediction: 25G, 30A, 55P
Bold prediction: Garland’s play during the regular season and his impressive stint during the 2025 IIHF World Championship earns him a spot on Team USA’s roster for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
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Mar 12, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn ImagesMake sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
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