While Vancouver Canucks fans wait for any crumb of information on Brock Boeser’s new contract, they’ll at least get some good news soon on a different restricted free agent forward. Gerry Johansson, agent for Reid Boucher, was on Sportsnet radio today with Rick Dhaliwal and explained that they are close to a deal with the Canucks. Boucher filed for arbitration last week, but apparently will avoid the process with a new deal.
The 25-year old Boucher may have played only one game for the Canucks last season, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a big part of their organization. The former New Jersey Devils prospect was one of the most effective offensive players in the entire AHL, scoring 31 goals and 62 points in just 56 games. That marked his second consecutive season scoring better than a point-per-game for the Utica Comets, while also serving as important injury insurance for the Canucks.
It is unlikely that Boucher will play a huge role in the NHL next season, but re-signing him gives the team some strong minor league depth up front. In 133 career NHL games he has recorded 42 points.