ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes sign F Conor Garland to two-year contract extension

Feb 27, 2019, 11:22 AM | Updated: 6:58 pm

Conor Garland of the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of the NHL game against the San Jose S...

Conor Garland of the Arizona Coyotes during the first period of the NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena on January 16, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Coyotes announced Wednesday a two-year contract extension for rookie forward Conor Garland, locking him in place through the 2020-2021 season.

Terms of the contract weren’t disclosed by the team, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the deal is for $775,000 per year.

“It’s nice to get a deal done and be able to be here for two more years on a team that is kind of on the uptick and we’re going to be fighting for a playoff spot for hopefully years to come,” Garland said. “I’m excited to be a part of that type of group.”

Garland has been a standout rookie for Arizona this season, making his NHL debut on Dec. 8 and scoring 12 goals with three assists for 15 points in an average of 12:43 of ice time per game since then. His 12 goals are tied for seventh among NHL rookies and tied for second-most among all Coyotes. This, with significantly fewer games played than many of his peers.

“We had some guys down, we needed some offense, he came in and just played desperate, tenacious hockey,” general manager John Chayka said. “He got to the net, scored some goals and brought some life to our group.”

The Coyotes drafted Garland in the fifth round (123rd overall) in the 2015 draft.

“I’ve been in Arizona since I’ve been 19, I’m turning 23 in a couple weeks here. So it feels like I’ve been here for a while. It’s starting to feel like home, I’m getting used to all the areas here and I love it here. That was a big part of it — I wanted to be here as long as possible.

“But obviously you grow up wanting to play in the NHL and when you do two and a half years in the ‘A’ [AHL] — it’s a hard league, it’s a grind — I feel pretty privileged. And I’m excited to be able to play for another two years and hopefully make it a lot more.”

The 22-year-old would’ve been a restricted free agent this offseason, but the Coyotes now have only five NHL RFAs to deal with this summer: Nick Cousins, Lawson Crouse, Josh Archibald, Ilya Lyubushkin and Nick Schmaltz.

“Conor has come onto our team and made an impact through his work ethic and willingness to get to the net and score goals,” Chayka said in a statement. “He’s a great success story for our organization as a later round pick and the development process he went through to get here. We’re thrilled to get him signed long-term.”

Arizona Coyotes

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

2 days ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

2 days ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

3 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

4 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Liam O'Brien...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ struggles in Dallas continue despite Clayton Keller stacking goals

The Dallas Stars extended their home points streak against the Coyotes to 19 games with a victory on Wednesday night.

8 days ago

Coyotes sign F Conor Garland to two-year contract extension