Garland opens up about difficulty of living in Vancouver, hints at moving on next season

Forward Conor Garland has turned himself into a fan favourite during his first season with the Vancouver Canucks, but the 26 year old Scituate, Mass native admits that things haven't gone the way he'd like.

In a one on one interview with The Athletic's Harman Dayal, Garland opens up a bit about his struggles this season and claims that he "felt like [himself] all year" and that he'd likely move out of the city, "If [he's] back here next year."

From Dayal's column:

Dayal: "When you look at the year you’ve had and obviously there’s still some time left but on an individual level, how do you think you’ve handled the transition/adjustment here and how do you think you’ve performed?"

Garland: "I just haven’t felt like myself all year. I haven’t played a game from start to finish where I felt like myself. I think about last year where you just play — my coach in the American League used to say “When you play with a clear head you play well” and I haven’t been able to play like that all year. I don’t know why but it just has happened."

Dayal: "Coming here, what’s maybe been your one or two favourite things about just the lifestyle and experience living in Vancouver and maybe what the least favourite part has been?"

Garland: "It’s a big difference from the desert (where you’re) going to bed with no noises, no street sounds. Adjusting to the city has been a big difference for me. If I’m back here next year, I’ll probably live in a neighbourhood and not deal with the city."

The thing that stands out to me most here is Garland saying "IF" he's back next year...

If you're a Canucks fan that has to rise an eyebrow. After all, Garland was acquired by the team just last offseason and he signed a five year, $25 million deal immediately after. Of course, that deal was signed under former Canucks GM Jim Benning and with Patrik Alvin and Jim Rutherford now at the helm, Canucks management may have different plans for Garland moving forward.

Stay tuned.