6 teams Vancouver Canucks could trade Boeser to if they can't re-sign him
No current Vancouver Canucks player has been with the team longer than Brock Boeser.
Whether that will continue past this trade deadline is squarely up for debate.
Patrik Allvin has been subdued in his public commentary about Boeser. Other reports suggest that Boeser and the Canucks aren’t close on terms.
Whatever the rationale, there’s certainly a chance that Boeser isn’t a member of the Canucks by the time the trade deadline hits on March 7.
If the Canucks do decide to trade him, here are six teams who should be front-runners to acquire No. 6.
1. Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are currently lined up to face the Edmonton Oilers in Round One of the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.
They’ll be underdogs in that series, with or without Boeser. However, for a team stuck on the peripherals of being a true contender, there should be urgency to add another piece prior to the postseason.
Not only did Boeser show in last year’s playoffs that he can step up in the big moments, but he’s also torched the Kings throughout his NHL career (17 goals and 23 points in 22 games).
The Kings are 13th among current playoff teams in goals scored this season, and they have the league’s fourth-worst power play. Boeser could give them a boost in both areas.
Tanner Jeannot would certainly have to give Boeser an apology if the Canucks forward were to land in LA. That’s if Boeser doesn’t block a trade there, given his 10-team no-trade list. Heck, there’s even an outside chance that Jeannot, a pending UFA making US$2.6 million, could be a piece coming back to make the numbers work.
2. Minnesota Wild
This would be a dream scenario for Minnesota Wild fans. Their team, who has been stuck in the mushy middle for what feels like 20 years, needs an offensive punch.
Among playoff teams, Minnesota is second-to-last in goals scored per game, with only the Calgary Flames scoring less than the Wild. Minnesota is also currently missing its top goal scorer, Kirill Kaprizov.
Most of the Wild’s top players either aren’t being moved (Matt Boldy, Brock Faber) or have no movement clauses. However, the Wild boasts one of the best prospect pools in the NHL.
3. Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are on the precipice of busting their eight-year postseason drought, which is the second-longest active drought in the NHL.
They could undoubtedly use more offensive punch to solidify their playoff spot, especially with higher-scoring teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers on their heels.
Boeser could also be a longer-term fit with Detroit if the club decides to move on from Patrick Kane, a pending UFA, in the offseason.
In terms of the return, with any team, Boeser should be worth about a first-round pick plus another asset. Surrey, B.C., native Michael Rasmussen could be an option to make the cap dollars work as well, as the 6-foot-6 centre has fallen down Detroit’s depth chart this season.
4. Ottawa Senators
Speaking of needing goals, the Ottawa Senators actually average fewer goals per game than the Red Wings, despite the firepower at the top of their lineup.
Boeser also broke into the top and immediately blossomed into a top-six threat under his former coach and current Senators head coach, Travis Green.
Eating Boeser’s cap hit would be tough for the Senators unless they decide to part with a piece like Quinn Hughes’ good buddy Josh Norris. However, they do have the assets to convince the Canucks to retain salary on this transaction.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
Unlike the four teams mentioned above, the Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t starved for goals. They’ve scored the fifth-most goals in the NHL on a per-game basis.
However, it’s been reported that the Blue Jackets are interested in Boeser, and could be a team to watch if the Canucks decide to trade the 28-year-old.
Of all the teams on this list, the Blue Jackets could probably make the best pitch for Boeser, considering they have a ton of cap space and young assets. Acquiring Boeser would also help push Columbus ahead of the pack in a tightly-contested Eastern Conference Wild Card race.
6. Florida Panthers
With Matthew Tkachuk reportedly out long-term, the defending Stanley Cup champions are already being linked to stars such as Mikko Rantanen.
It makes you wonder if a cheaper option like Boeser could be a match for the Panthers.
Even with Tkachuk in the lineup, the Panthers had been using Evan Rodrigues in a top-six role. Boeser would surely be an improvement on him.
The Panthers aren’t flush with assets or cap space. However, if they put Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve, they would have space for Boeser. A package consisting of their 2026 first-round pick and Lower Mainland native Justin Sourdif could be enough to get the deal done.