What's the hang-up in Boeser's contract negotiations with Vancouver Canucks?
The Vancouver Canucks locked up one of their pending unrestricted free agents long-term last night but still have a lot of work to do with Brock Boeser.
The club signed defenceman Marcus Pettersson to a six-year deal, ensuring he didn’t hit the open market on July 1. They wasted no time between trading for him and getting that new contract signed. That leaves a few more soon-to-be free agents who the Canucks must make a decision on, the most important being Brock Boeser.
While the Canucks made quick work with Pettersson, the same can not be said for negotiations with Boeser, as they have now stretched out many months.
The longtime Canuck is a fan-favourite and ranks second on the team this year in goals and points. He has been eligible for an extension since July 1 of last year, but general manager Patrik Allvin has taken a patient approach and seems to be in no rush to sign Boeser.
The 27-year-old makes $6.65 million per season right now but would likely command a hefty raise on the open market. Hockey consulting company AFP Analytics projects a seven-year deal with an $8.76 million AAV.
The Canucks had their doubts about the player’s health after he missed the end of last year’s playoff with a blood clotting issue, but so far this year, that has not been a problem. They also wanted to see if his goal-scoring would fall off a cliff alongside his shooting percentage. That hasn’t happened. He’s answered both concerns, yet talks are still not progressing.
“On the Boeser contract front, I’ve been told it is still quiet,” said CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal. “Could go a lot of different ways, you either sign him, trade him, or the new possibility is keep him at the trade deadline because you’re in a playoff spot.”
“This is not a health issue with Boeser. It’s money and term.”
The Canucks and Boeser’s camp are still talking, according to Dhaliwal. This means there is still mutual interest from each side, even if they do have different ideas of what a potential contract looks like.
From the team’s side, a deal with a similar term to the one they just signed with Marcus Pettersson would be preferable. Boeser can get up to seven years with another organization if he hits the open market.
“I would imagine the Canucks would like to get Boeser at five, six years, just like Marcus Pettersson.”
If they want to get him for fewer years, the AAV will need to climb, potentially past $9 million.
The March 7 trade deadline looms large with a Boeser decision. If they keep him past that date, they risk letting him leave for nothing in the summer. Trade him before that, and you can recoup assets but make your team worse.
It’s a tricky decision looming for Allvin and his team, and one that will shape the future of the Canucks.