The clock is ticking on the Vancouver Canucks and Brock Boeser signing a new contract.
The 27-year-old is in the final year of his current deal and will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. He’s been eligible for an extension since July 1 but talks between the two sides have remained relatively quiet.
If the Canucks and Boeser can’t come to an agreement before the summer, they risk losing him for nothing. That’s why he’s a candidate to be traded if there’s no new deal before the March 7 trade deadline. Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin has admitted as much in past interviews.
Despite that date coming up quickly on the calendar, Allvin is still emphasizing a patient approach.
“I wouldn’t say urgency,” said Allvin when discussing the Boeser situation. “I think we’re still evaluating him. I have a great relationship with his agent, and when the time is right, we’ll make the decision.”
“There’s two sides of it too. It’s got to work for both sides long term. Anything can happen here, I guess, any day.”
#Canucks GM Patrik Allvin asked about Brock Boeser, who is a pending UFA:
“We’re still evaluating him… when the time is right, we’ll make the decision.”
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) January 20, 2025
By all reports, contract negotiations between Boeser’s camp and the Canucks remain very quiet.
Boeser scored 40 goals last season, finally realizing on the potential he’d shown since his rookie year. Despite that breakout performance, there were still question marks coming into this season.
The scoring winger had a sky-high 19.6% shooting percentage last season, leading to questions on how sustainable his outburst would be. He also dealt with a blood clotting issue, which forced him to miss Game 7 of last year’s second round.
So far this year, he’s erased some of those preseason doubts. Boeser has scored 15 goals in 38 games, not quite the same 40-goal pace he had last year, but respectable numbers all the same. In addition, the blood clots have been a non-factor and haven’t held him out of any contests.
In a season where the outside noise around this team has been deafening, the American forward has continued to produce.
“It’s been an interesting year, a lot of injuries, some distractions and stuff,” said Boeser. “It can be tough to block everything out…sometimes I feel it affects our team in some games.”
Boeser’s play over the past season-and-a-half has earned him a raise on his next contract, likely above the $8 million per season mark. Are the Canucks willing to do that? If not, then there is surely another team that will be.
The Canucks must make a decision on this player soon. When asked if there were any untouchables on this roster beyond captain Quinn Hughes, Allvin refused to take anyone off the table, including Boeser.
“My job is always to listen and see what makes this club better, today, tomorrow, and for the future.”