Garland thrives following change of scenery
After bumpy start to time in Vancouver, two-way wing finds form under Tocchet
Conor Garland is a man of the people.
He resides in Gastown. He walks to practice and eagerly interacts with fans and well-wishers. He regularly supports his favourite downtown restaurant and savours the social scene.
“I walk everywhere and you can feel the (playoff) buzz for sure,” said the Vancouver Canucks' driven and diminutive winger. “On days off, I take my dog on the seawall around the rink. I'm a routine person. In Arizona, I had my spot (Parma restaurant) and I'd go four or five times a week. I have my spot here too (Social Corner). I like Neapolitan pizza — firm and no flop and well done, almost burnt and crunchy.”
Aside from favourite food choices, Garland is anticipating a return to the playoffs after his less-thanideal bubble experience with the Coyotes in 2020.
Most importantly, he's at peace. You hear it in his upbeat tone and see it in the body language. He is far removed from the uncertainty and uneasiness of early October.
Garland, 28, changed agents and pondered whether a change of NHL scenery would help him and the salary cap-challenged club, find solutions for both parties. His cap hit was US$4.95 million for three more seasons.
The competitive side of Garland saw a glut of wingers here and decided to just play and seize every day. Not that it was easy.
“The cream rises to the top, and I believe that,” said Garland. “It has been pretty smooth since the first trip. We're having a blast playing and winning.”
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet thought the speedy, gritty and opportunistic Garland would be a good fit with Dakota Joshua and Teddy Blueger to provide a strong two-way presence.
The chemistry was instant. On a ferocious forechecking third line that could also contribute, Garland found a home and happiness. Fans clamoured that the talented trio needed a catchy name. A straightahead and honest game brought the Meat and Potatoes Line suggestion. Joshua is the meat, Blueger the potatoes, and Garland the gravy.
Versatility has led to different deployments, but it hasn't changed the mindset for Garland.
After all, the Scituate, Mass., native didn't make the bantam team at the famed Shattuck-Saint Mary's program in Minnesota because he was too small.
“It's not going to be easy where you want to go,” said Garland, a 2015 fifth-round draft pick by the Coyotes.
“It definitely added a bitterness, or whatever, but it was a great thing to happen to me.”
Here's our weekly Q&A with the well-spoken Garland:
Q Why are you so comfortable on After Hours?
A I was fortunate. I did public speaking as a kid, and a lot of it. So it doesn't make me nervous to talk on TV or in big crowds. I do something in the summer where I talk to a pretty big crowd, so it's normal for me. I enjoy it.
In fourth grade, we had to read a poem in class, and the teacher put me up for it. I continued public speaking until I went to junior hockey.
Q Coaching requires communication. Interested?
A When I'm done playing, I want to coach more than anything. I love the game. It's the only thing I know. I see it decently well. I coach tournaments in the summer and I enjoy it greatly. It's younger kids and it's rewarding. It's fun to be behind the bench and see the game from a different view. I'd love to work my way all the way up. Hopefully, that's 10 to 15 years away.
Q What makes Tocchet tick? Why is he effective?
A A lot of it is systems, and it's so clear what players need to do at any given time. What I hear from other guys is the openness. If you have something to say, he'll listen. That might be rare for head coaches to have that ease, even if you're dealing with something.
It makes you want to play 10 times more. That's a massive reason why you see the buy-in.
Q Why do you think the NHL is going in right direction?
A There's so much skill and high-end players and it looks like the league could expand in a few years. People say that would water it down, but there were so many when I played in the AHL who could play in the NHL and be effective.
Q Speaking of doors, is there an NHL future in Arizona?
A If they get a rink in the right area in Scottsdale or Tempe. Glendale was too far. It's unfortunate. They (Coyotes) have players who could be franchise players. Clayton Keller (32 goals) should be playing in a big market and doing what he does every night.
Q You were in a 2020 playoff bubble. How weird?
A I was playing through something. I got hit in Game 3 trying to clear a puck six-on-five. I was on one knee and somebody took a liberty. For me, the bubble was tough. Enclosed area, you don't see your family for a long time and we were playing Colorado.
I didn't really enjoy it. I'm excited to play in a market and in a big city like this (Vancouver).