Conor Garland and Thatcher Demko sign extensions with the Vancouver Canucks

Conor Garland contract

Garland’s extension was rumoured a couple of days ago, and finally announced this morning. Six years with an AAV of $6M. The 29-year-old will be sticking in Vancouver.

How Garland became a Canuck

Garland was acqiured alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson in 2021 from the Arizona Coyotes. The trade dumped the contracts of Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, and Loui Eriksson and added the ninth-overall pick which turned into Dylan Guenther.

Garland’s Canucks tenure

In his four seasons in Vancouver, Garland has become an important piece to the roster. Eclipsing the 50 point mark twice, and the 20 goal mark once, Garland became a fan favourite. His fierce playing style, and not backing down from a fight even when at a disadvantage at 5’10”. This past season he broke the top 6 frequently, playing on average 18:39 a night.

Thatcher Demko contract

Thatcher Demko also signed a contract extension with the Canucks, keeping him in Vancouver for another three years. The three year deal will carry an AAV of $8.5M. Demko has been the star goalie for Vancouver up until injuries have sidelined him for parts of the last three seasons.

How Demko became a Canuck

Demko’s whole career has been donning the blue and green. Drafted 36th overall in 2014 by the Canucks, Demko didn’t break out until the bubble. Multiple seasons in the AHL were needed for Demko before he saw his first NHL game.

Demko’s Canucks tenure

Demko’s first full season with the Canucks was the 2019-20 season which was shortened due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. After Jacob Markstrom went down with injury during the bubble, Demko took the reins. His outstanding play gave him the starters role, and hd Markstrom out the door.

In three of his next four seasons he had a .915+ save percentage and a Vezina finalists. During the 2024 playoffs, Demko was down with injury which kept him down for some time. He came back midway this season before being injured again. This past year he played just 23 games and posted a 2.90 goals against average and a .889 save percentage. Whether or not the $8.5M will be too much considering the injury he suffered, only time will tell.

What’s next for Vancouver?

The Canucks won the Pacific division just two seasons ago. A second round exit to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games set them back it seemed. Last season, the Canucks took a major step back. Missing the playoffs, locker room drama, trading J.T Miller, and the continued lacklustre performance from Elias Pettersson.

Vancouver is continuing with re-tooling the foundation of their franchise. The forward core has suffered immensely, expect Allvin to target some centres, especially if Pius Suter doesn’t come back.