Prospect Info: 2015 NHL Draft: #123 - Conor Garland RW

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Height: 5'8
Weight: 163
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Birthplace: Massachusetts

Ranked #100 by Hockeyprospect.com
Ranked #134 by ISS Hockey
Ranked #86 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)

In Moncton this past season, Garland was one-third of the most dangerous line in the Q, the so-called GAB line featuring Ivan Barbashev (2014 St. Louis Blues pick) and Cameron Askew (2015 draft eligible).

Garland is not so much a magician with the puck as he is a warlock with it, casting black magic spells to pull off unbelievable passes. He plays a lightning-fast game, is extremely elusive, and is entirely unpredictable with the puck on his stick. He’s capable of making passes that no one has ever thought about or seen before. His quickness is too much for his opponents, and his elite hockey IQ is simply off the chain. Far and away he was the most exciting player to watch in the Q this season, bringing fans out of their seats again and again. There seems no limit to what he can do with the puck on his stick.

So why haven’t you heard about him? Check his specs again. At 5’8″ or 5’9″, some hockey fans are convinced that a player his size can’t succeed away from the amateur stage.

Furthermore … do his extraordinary skills translate to the pro game? No. He couldn’t get away with a lot of that in the pro leagues.

But Garland is a determined athlete, hell bent on reaching the NHL. He’s adapted his game before. If he has to adapt again in order to keep playing hockey, he’s likely more than capable of doing that.

http://thehockeywriters.com/conor-garland-the-next-ones-2015-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

He may stand at just 5’8″ 168 lbs, but Garland does not play a small man’s game. He shows a willingness to battle along the boards and get his nose dirty. Combined with his supreme stick skills, and he very well may have an NHL future. His skills are on full display below.

He had a solid year last year (54 points in 51 games), but has exploded offensively this year with a QMJHL leading 76 points in 45 games. That’s 8 more points than anyone in the league, and 24 more than his closest Moncton teammate. He’s very quick and agile, and a slippery player whose size makes him difficult to check.

“Conor is one of the most exciting players I have ever seen. His dedication to being a complete 200-foot player has been a huge part of his success. His commitment to conditioning has led to a great consistency. The sky is the limit for Conor’s future in hockey.”

NHL Player(s) Comparison: Theo Fleury … but bigger, and with smoother hands.

Click to read more...

 

[jacobhockey13]

Second year eligible. Lit up the Q this year.

 

[IPreferPi]

Appreciate the 4 RH forwards we've taken thus far, but eventually we're gonna have to draft a RHD right? Please?

 

[ScottsdaleYote]

Hey, this late in the draft why not take a flier on an ultra-skilled but short player?

 

[Chootoi]

Swing for the fence pick, but in the 5th you can't go wrong picking the Qs leading scorer. He's small, but incredibly skilled and gifted playmaker. He has Patick Kane level hands. Doesn't have blazing speed or anything, but makes up for it with vision and high offensive IQ. puck just follows him so he's a very opportunistic player. he does take 3-4 minute shifts though and not a very good back checker, but a lot of that was coaching as well. He was double and triple shifted with Barbashev all year.

 

[hbk]

This is the type of guy we've traditionally tried to sign as a UFA. Miele, Shinimin. Missed on Tyler Johnson so draft and see. Could play AhL next yr?

 

[ScottsdaleYote]

Speaking of short players, is Debrincat eligible next year or the year after? I wonder what his prospect are given his style?

 

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Garland is the first player since Alex Radulov to have recorded over 90 assists in one QMJHL season. Furthermore, he outscored teammate Jack Eichel in his bantam season with the Boston Jr. Bruins. If Garland was four inches taller, he would easily be at least a second round pick this year. But since he isn’t, we will have to see how early a team takes a shot at him.

http://milehighsticking.com/2015/06/09/conor-garland-colorado-avalanche-2015-nhl-draft-profile/

 

[jacobhockey13]

This is the type of guy we've traditionally tried to sign as a UFA. Miele, Shinimin. Missed on Tyler Johnson so draft and see. Could play AhL next yr?

He has to go back to the Q for one more year before he can play AHL.

 

[Chootoi]

This is the type of guy we've traditionally tried to sign as a UFA. Miele, Shinimin. Missed on Tyler Johnson so draft and see. Could play AhL next yr?

Not eligible for AHL next year. He's got 1 year CHL left. He won't have Barbashev on his line this year but Moncton is drafting 2 new euros so you never know. He may also get moved to a contender. In any case I expect him to light up the Q again this season.

 

[Flair Hay]

Best pick you guys could have made imo

 

[Llewzaher]

Earlier in the day i was looking at highlights of this guy and hoping we would take a chance on him. Really glad we did.

 

[_Del_]

Came out of the draft with the top scorer from two leagues. And you guys were upset that we weren't going to get a Conor... sheez...

 

[CraigsList]

This guy is a steal for a 5th rounder. Great pick up for AZ. Quite pleased with the draft choices you made.

 

[MIGs Dog]

Conor Garland: Really good AHL player, or NHL potential?

Point production per game has doubled each season in Tucson.

 

[Dirty Old Man]

Saw that little guy playing for Nashville last night, and thought "hey, maybe we have one of those..."

 

[MIGs Dog]

Saw that little guy playing for Nashville last night, and thought "hey, maybe we have one of those..."

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a good judge of NHL talent, but it's encouraging that he continues to improve.

 

[YotesFan47]

I always viewed him as our Vrbata replacement one day. Vrbata was gone sooner than I thought he would be and Garland hasn't grown as quickly as I assumed he would, but I still stand that he could become the equivalent +/- some tools.

 

[Sinurgy]

Saw that little guy playing for Nashville last night, and thought "hey, maybe we have one of those..."

You referring to Rocco "Hail Satan!" Grimaldi?

 

[Dirty Old Man]

You referring to Rocco "Hail Satan!" Grimaldi?

Didn't get the reference at first, but hey our guy is a Christmas decoration, so there ya go...

 

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I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a good judge of NHL talent, but it's encouraging that he continues to improve.

The production is mostly a difference in usage. He was stuck in the bottom 6, sometimes the 4th line, previously. Whether or not his defensive game has improved is up to Tucson fans and the coaches. I imagine that's why he hasn't gotten the call.

 

[YotesFan47]

The production is mostly a difference in usage. He was stuck in the bottom 6, sometimes the 4th line, previously. Whether or not his defensive game has improved is up to Tucson fans and the coaches. I imagine that's why he hasn't gotten the call.

I forget who it was but I recall a poster before the season started saying that Garlands D looked considerably better and he was spending less time floating and more time engaging in the play. I hope that still rings true.