The Vancouver Canucks are rolling up their sleeves this offseason, looking to bolster their forward lineup across the board. This time, though, they have a golden opportunity to eye younger talent rather than making their usual play for seasoned veterans like Elias Lindholm.
The big questions buzzing around fans are: How are they going to pull this off, and which players are they setting their sights on? Of course, a major piece of the puzzle is maximizing their existing assets to swing a deal that's genuinely beneficial.
One way the Canucks might pull a rabbit out of the hat involves their star winger, Brock Boeser. There's recent chatter, courtesy of insider Rick Dhaliwal, suggesting Boeser could make his way back to Vancouver if the two sides can hammer out a more favorable contract. It's a long shot, but a long shot is still a shot.
A unique edge the Canucks possess is their ability to offer Boeser, who’s now 28, a lengthy eight-year contract. If he ventures into the open market, he's capped at a seven-year deal. This factor might be a crucial bargaining chip.
Boeser, a former first-round pick for the Canucks, hails from Minnesota, which naturally adds an interesting layer to the narrative. There could be a pull for him to return home, but that largely depends on how interested the Minnesota Wild are in bringing him in.
On Minnesota’s side of the ice, whispers suggest the Canucks have their eyes on center Marco Rossi, a player rumored to not have universally favorable reviews within the Wild organization. The trade waters get muddied when considering the Philadelphia Flyers’ stance—Tyson Foerster and one of their two late first-round picks this year are both reportedly staying put. So, Rossi's price tag might be a bit more palatable for Vancouver.
Boeser comes with his strengths and limitations. While his defensive game could sharpen, his offensive talent is unquestionable.
He’s tallied six seasons with 20-plus goals, and his career shooting maintains a solid 14.1%. The last two seasons have seen even better shooting percentages of 17.2% and 19.6%, respectively.
A potential swap of Boeser for Rossi could neatly align the needs of both the Canucks and the Wild, allowing each to give up assets they’re willing to part with while gaining what they need.
Should Boeser find a home with the Wild, it would mean joining a core of wingers including Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, veteran Mats Zuccarello, and the developing Danila Yurov. This lineup could ease the immediate burden on Yurov as he adjusts to the NHL rigors, particularly since he and Boeser bring different skill sets to the rink.
As the free agency window looms, the Canucks are positioned at a critical juncture. Solving their roster dilemmas creatively will be the key to emerging stronger when the puck drops for the new season.
