2:00 PM: The Vancouver Canucks have opted to retain Boeser rather than opting for a trade per DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli. No signs of an extension are currently in place – but the team has opted to end their Trade Deadline early after a quiet day.
11:30 AM: It’s “more likely than not” the Canucks will move pending UFA winger Brock Boeser before the 2 p.m. CT trade deadline, per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff. No deal is imminent yet, but Vancouver is engaging in offer-gathering.
The Canucks’ reported best offer to Boeser was a five-year, $40MM deal carrying an $8MM AAV. That offer was rejected by Boeser initially and recently taken off the table entirely by the team, per Darren Dreger of TSN.
It’s been a tough year for the 28-year-old, who’s dropped to 18 goals in 54 games after notching a career-high 40 in 81 appearances last season. His shooting percentage hasn’t regressed much, only from 19.6% to 17% – still above his 14% career average. He’s taking the fewest shots on goal per game of his NHL career with 1.96, struggling to create chances for himself.
That difficult contract year showing, plus the fact that it is a seller’s market has no doubt played into the Canucks decision to move on from the nine-year NHL veteran. Boeser has been a consistent 20-goal scorer throughout his career but has topped the 30-goal mark just once (last season) and isn’t a big play driver. His play at times can be frustrating if he isn’t putting the puck in the net, which is likely why Vancouver capped their offer at five years.
If Boeser finishes the season strong he could land a more lucrative deal in total dollars than he would have with the Canucks, but if he struggles he might not match the $8MM AAV that Vancouver was offering.
Vancouver has been in a state of flux for much of this season and has seen a ton of player movement in recent weeks with the trade of J.T. Miller and the acquisition of Marcus Pettersson. They currently sit one point out of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, which makes it hard to imagine them dealing Boeser for futures. However, they could do as they did with Miller and acquire draft picks or prospects to use in another move that adds to their current roster.
PHR’s Josh Cybulski contributed to this article.
Brock Boeser was on the ice today with Vancouver according to the NHL Live Blog. I get the sense Boeser will finish out the season with Vancouver & more than likely hit the open market this offseason. Granted, a trade could happen before the deadline but doesn’t seem entirely likely at this point in time.
Pathetic- add any Aquillini products to all the US ones I’m boycotting. Same crap every year – and re-signing him is not what this woeful team needs. Just get ready to deal Hughes this summer because no matter what you think he’s gone.
Boo hoo!
Maybe Boeser is reconsidering that 5 year offer…..
Vancouver has no direction, Allvin has been disappointing to say the least, Another lost season in Vancouver.