Vancouver Canucks to Investigate Conor Garland's Future with the Team, Per Insider
Photo credit: Bob Frid - USA TODAY Sports
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has given a big update on Conor Garland's future with the Vancouver Canucks, as the 2025-26 season marks the final year of his contract.
The Vancouver Canucks have a couple of priorities heading into the summer, including to find a new second line centerman, as well as a top-six winger, both of which won't come cheap and will likely force the team to go down the trade route to land the pieces they need.
Once the Canucks address those priorities, they'll be able to focus on other things relating to their roster, with a pair of well-known names becoming eligible for contract extensions as of July 1st - Conor Garland and Thatcher Demko, although the latter is reportedly open to a change of scenery this summer.
NHL insider gives big update regarding Conor Garland's future with Vancouver Canucks
Conor Garland is coming off one of the best seasons of his National Hockey League career so far and if he's able to replicate that success during the 2025-26 campaign, then he could be a hot commodity on the open market next July.
However, the Vancouver Canucks might be looking to avoid the possibility of the Scituate, Massachusetts native from going to the open market, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
In Friday's 32 Thoughts article, Elliotte Friedman revealed that he is expecting the Vancouver Canucks to at least 'investigate' the possibility of working out a contract extension with Conor Garland this summer.
"19. As mentioned on Friday's pod, I expect Vancouver to investigate an extension with Conor Garland. He is eligible July 1." Friedman said.
Garland was asked about his future with Vancouver back in early May by Rick Dhaliwal and he said that he's going to leave any contract stuff with his agent, adding that his agent handles all that, while he just plays hockey.
"I love Vancouver. It's a great city. I really warmed up to it last year, obviously winning helps, but this year, I just really enjoy the city, living in it, having a son this year and having a place where I can take him and walk. I find it a lot like Boston, very opposite side of the continent, but you know, I've got a great agent, he handles that stuff, I just play hockey and that's what I love doing and enjoy doing and that's how I look at it, that's up to him." Garland said.
In 81 games this season, the 29-year-old registered 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists), 52 penalty minutes and was a minus-13.
Garland is likely to get a bit of a jump in pay if he were to sign an extension with the Canucks at some point this summer, as he currently earns $4.95 million annually and could potentially see that go up to the $5.5-$5.75 million range on his next deal.
Source: 32 Thoughts/Elliotte Friedman
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