Boeser admits he's unlikely to return to Vancouver Canucks next season

It appears Brock Boeser’s time with the Vancouver Canucks is indeed coming to an end.

Drafted by Vancouver a decade ago, Boeser made his NHL debut with the Canucks on March 25, 2017. That makes him the Canucks’ longest-tenured active player, but the 28-year-old will very likely join a new team when he becomes a free agent on July 1.

Boeser admitted as such in an interview with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre.

“Honestly, it’s unlikely at this point,” Boeser said of the possibility of re-signing with the Canucks. “It sucks, it’s unfortunate.”

This shouldn’t come as a shock, given the comments from Canucks management. They’ve never appeared to be the biggest fans of the Burnsville, Minnesota native.

Jim Rutherford indicated last June that the team had no intention of offering Boeser a contract last summer, preferring to take a wait-and-see approach following a 40-goal season. Patrik Allvin confirmed that approach in September and added a critique, saying Boeser “took his foot off the gas” after he scored his 30th goal last season.

The Canucks tried to trade Boeser before last month’s trade deadline, with Allvin saying the only reason he wasn’t dealt was because the offers for him were so terrible.

“If I told you what I was offered for Brock Boeser, I think I would have to run out of here because you would not believe me,” Allvin said bluntly.

The Canucks may not like Boeser’s lack of foot speed, and there is reason to be concerned about how he’ll age into his 30s. But on a team that struggled to score this season, Boeser leads the Canucks with 25 goals and ranks second on the team in points (49). Those numbers are basically in line with his career averages, but they’re down from his 40-goal, 73-point campaign from a year ago.

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