How the Canucks can get the most out of Boeser next season

He’s one of the most important players on the Vancouver Canucks roster.

At least, that’s certainly the case in terms of salary.

Heading into next season, only J.T. Miller ($8 million), Quinn Hughes ($7.85 million) and Elias Pettersson ($7.35 million) have a higher cap hit than Brock Boeser and the Canucks’ $6.65 million commitment to him.

So, how can the Canucks get the most out of Boeser next season?

For starters, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet mentioned recently that Boeser has a new offseason trainer. Aside from that, the Canucks bench boss talked about what else Boeser needs to do to hit on his potential.

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“With Brock, there’s another level there,” Tocchet said in a recent interview with Farhan Lalji and Harman Dayal on The Vancast. “I think if he plays a really good game without the puck, all that other stuff is going to come.

“His wall work, his retrievals with pucks, helping out on the forecheck, there’s another level with him.

“If Brock can add another level, he can be a force for us.”

Players that had fewer goals than Brock Boeser after 100 career games:

Steven Stamkos
Jason Robertson
Elias Pettersson
Jeff Skinner
Kyle Connor
John Tavares
Alex DeBrincat
Connor McDavid
Patrick Kane
Evgeni Malkin

It would be huge for the Canucks if Brock got back to this form https://t.co/oSfjdZpZLC pic.twitter.com/W3Ja5upO74

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) July 16, 2023

Boeser looked like a perennial 30-goal scorer when he first entered the NHL. While he hasn’t hit that mark, he probably doesn’t get enough credit for his playmaking ability and his consistency at even strength.

But, is there another level to his game? The Canucks certainly hope so, and here are three things the coaching staff can do to help get the most out of Boeser next season.

1. Play him with Pettersson at even strength

Remember when Elias Pettersson and Boeser were destined to be the next great Canucks forward duo?

That seems like a lifetime ago now.

The last time Pettersson and Boeser experienced remarkable success together was back in 2019-20, when they formed one of the best lines in the league alongside Miller.

In the two years that followed, a 2020-21 injury to Pettersson and intermittent struggles by both players overshadowed the magic they previously had together.

Then last season, Boeser spent more time playing with Phil Di Giuseppe at even strength than he did Pettersson.

Boeser’s most common linemate last season was Miller. When both players were on the ice together, they had an ugly 43.1% expected goals-for percentage.

It’s not like Boeser and Miller have this undeniable chemistry that can’t be tinkered with. However, it is undeniable that there is a history of chemistry between Pettersson and Boeser.

Barring another offseason move, Vancouver now has ample depth on the wings. They can spread out their offence even if Boeser plays with Pettersson on the first line.

There is a theory that the Canucks need more of a “digger” or “grinder” on that top line, someone like Ilya Mikheyev that can fish pucks out of corners.

According to Tocchet though, becoming a tougher player in the corners is a primary focus for Boeser heading into next season.

“That’s what he basically told me,” Tocchet said on The Vancast. “He said ‘I gotta come back in better, stronger shape and be able to play in traffic and be able to come out of the corners with the puck.'”

2. More offensive zone starts for Boeser

The biggest knock on Boeser last season was the fact that his defensive game fell off a cliff.

His lack of speed on the backcheck contributed to that, but some of his defensive malpractice was an anomaly. Canucks goaltenders stopped an absurdly low 86.9% of shots last season when Boeser was on the ice at even-strength.

Still, no one is expecting Boeser to be a Selke candidate. What he’s supposed to do is create offence.

Up until this season, Boeser had an offensive zone start percentage north of 60%. Last season, that uncharacteristically dropped to 51%.

If the coaching staff puts Boeser in better situations to succeed, that will elevate their chances of getting the most out of him.

3. Staple Boeser to PP1 and get creative

There was a lot of experimentation on the Canucks’ first power play unit last season following Bo Horvat’s departure.

While Boeser did play on the first power play unit, he wasn’t a mainstay there as players like Anthony Beauvillier received some time on PP1.

That should end in 2023-24. Boeser needs to be a power-play mainstay.

But I was told boeser shouldn’t be pp1 lmaoooooo pic.twitter.com/XJL0pCe7VJ

— ali (@earthto_ali) July 19, 2023

The 26-year-old has shown an ability to be versatile with the man advantage. Last season, his power-play goals were a mix of bumper spot one-timers, along with deflections and goals from the blue paint.

In fact, last November it was reported that Boeser had been working in practice on tipping pucks.

As a right shot, having Boeser in the bumper spot means the Canucks would have to shake up their previous power play rotation. When they had most of their success, it was because the left-shooting Horvat was in the bumper.

However, teams do need to tweak their power plays so that they can keep the opposition on their toes.

And, with Boeser’s shot and improved ability to tip in pucks, he might be the perfect guy for a bumper spot in the middle of the ice on PP1.