The Vancouver Canucks haven’t gotten a lot of Ws lately, on and off the ice.
However, during the morning of Canada Day, the Canucks got themselves a W. The team announced they had re-signed right winger Brock Boeser on a seven-year deal worth 7.25 million dollars per season. Dan Murphy of Sportsnet first reported the details of the contract.
Unexpected but very good
This did not look likely, even yesterday. For months there were reports that Boeser would not re-sign in Vancouver. The Boston Bruins, LA Kings and even the Edmonton Oilers were among the teams reportedly interested in his services.
Plus, Canucks management didn’t look interested in re-signing Boeser for months and they did not trade him at the trade deadline. Had Boeser signed elsewhere, it would have been seen as a cardinal sin by general manager Patrik Allvin, president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and the rest of the Canucks management.
But instead, Boeser is staying in Vancouver. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
“Brock has been a huge part of our organization, and we are extremely happy to have him back in the fold,” said Allvin in the press release. “He has scored some big goals for our hockey club and has established himself as a very dangerous offensive player. Brock is a leader and culture setter in our locker room, and we’re confident he will continue to play an important role for our team moving forward doing great work both on and off the ice.”
The contract looks like a steal
Given the cap is rising and Boeser is in his prime years, this is an excellent deal for both sides.
Back in April, Boeser told Sportsnet’s Iain McIntyre that it was “unlikely” he would stay in Vancouver. But it turns out, he never wanted to leave the Canucks and his heart was set on staying in Vancouver.
Yes, Boeser is slow and has had a notorious history of injuries. However, when he is healthy, he can provide 20 to 30 goals. Last season, he had 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points.
Since coming into the NHL late in the 2016-17 season, Boeser’s game has evolved into more than just being a pure goal scorer. He has learned to become a good net-front presence and often scores rebounds, deflections or tip-ins, which has become very useful on the power play. He will likely never score 40 goals as he did in 2023-24, but his goal-scoring presence is vital to the Canucks top six.
At 28, one can hope Boeser has at least five more good years left in him. That way the contract can age like fine wine.
When all hope was lost that Boeser would stay, things changed before it was too late. Once again, that shows that sports are unpredictable. A player loved by Canucks fans, players and staff returns and hopefully, more goals for the next seven years will come.
The Canucks are still not a contender and still need a top-six centre. Will they find one? The free agency market for that looks thin, so the trade market it is. But other than trading for Evander Kane, they have been quiet on that front.
