Conor Garland may have a lot to say on Thursday. When the Vancouver Canucks conduct their season-ending players availability, the diminutive right-winger could make a big impression by capsulizing the journey of a remarkable NHL season, both collectively and individually. He will applaud team resolve and resilience to capture the Pacific Division, the valiant push to come within a victory of advancing to the Western Conference final, and how bench boss Rick Tocchet turned him into a complete player.
What he won’t really want to talk about — and certainly not at length — is himself. Even though there’s much to say about the past year in which he was trade rumour-mill fodder amid a glut of wingers, gutted it out to finish with 20 goals, but he will stress that it’s not about him. It’s about the team.
Four members up for individual awards this season is testament that a strong team game breeds individual success. However, these Canucks are sum of their parts and Garland was a key cog to help set culture, drive and appreciation for playing in a market where the game matters, but never quite like this. And it’s why Garland trying to hold back after Game 7 on Monday might be the best sound bite.
“We weren’t going to go quietly and (the fans) are the greatest, they really are,” he said. “It was hard to not get emotional at the end there. This past month has been a blast.
My first real crack at a Cup and we have that taste in our mouths to get back.” At the en.