March 4, 2025 | 11:44am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

CANUCKS WEIGHING ALL OPTIONS ON BOESER

Brock Boeser, right wing

The Vancouver Canucks are evaluating all of their options with respect to forward Brock Boeser, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

With the Canucks in the thick of the wildcard race in the Western Conference, the team has its sights set on playoff play, but losing Boeser for nothing as a free agent may be a tough pill to swallow.

Contract talks between the Canucks and Boeser’s camp have not gain traction, as Vancouver’s five-year offer as rejected earlier in the season. Boeser is looking for a seven- or eight-year deal, something the Canucks are not yet prepared to do.

During Monday night’s edition of “The Latest” on TFP, David Pagnotta reiterated Vancouver’s position and outlined the clear options available to them.

“I mean, everything’s in play for them in this situation. And it’s what everybody knows: either you sign him, you trade him, or you just hold onto him as your own rental,” Pagnotta said. “Based on how conversations have gone, with a five-year offer on the table that was declined, he wants seven or eight years. It doesn’t look like anything has bridged. And as of (Monday) evening, I can tell you it hasn’t.

“So, right now he is in play. The Canucks will listen, but they’re not aggressively trying to get rid of him. They’ve wanted to add upfront most of the season. They’ve been looking for a scoring winger for some time. They’re also now in the market, and have been after the J.T. Miller trade, for a centre, as well.”

Boeser, 28, has a $6.65 million salary cap hit and owns a 10-team no-trade list as part of his contract. If he is moved, he will have some say in where he ends up.

“(The Canucks are) going to look to make something happen here,” Pagnotta added. “They want to add to this club. They don’t want to put themselves in a position where it negatively impacts their push for the playoffs because that’s where their eyes are.”

It is unclear whom the Canucks are looking to bring in, though it appears they prefer someone with term remaining on their contract as opposed to a rental piece, such as Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic, whom they have had interest in earlier this season.

The Canucks have also been linked to Dylan Cozens and Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres this season and could re-engage in those discussions, while also exploring alternative options.