Normally a birthday is cause for celebration. But not with Boeser’s contract status in doubt and trade rumours swirling once again
As an unrestricted free agent, Boeser is seeking a long-term commitment that will take him well past 30 and that could be a problem for Canucks management. To them, it’s about the price, the player, the production and the present and future roster construction plan that could include getting younger.
For the player, the priority has never changed.
“I’ve said how much I love it here and I’m more than willing to come back,” stressed Boeser. “We’ll see if we can figure something out. Obviously, I’d love to re-sign but if that’s not the case, go to UFA and I’ll be just fine. That’s made me less stressed and just focusing on helping the team win.”
The devil is always in the details of an extension. There hasn’t been anything new to report in negotiations, or the lack of them, but you’d think there’s time now after recent reconstruction of the roster.
The constant contract comparable is winger Travis Konecny of the Philadelphia Flyers because of how he and Boeser have remained aligned in production. Boeser and Konecny were the 23rd and 24th overall draft picks, respectively, in 2015 and then put up numbers that mirrored each other.
Konecny signed an eight-year, US$70 million extension on July 25 that carries an annual $8.75 million cap hit. It’s a $3.25 million increase over his previous deal and it takes effect next season. It includes a no-movement clause in the first six years.
Boeser will get a good bump on his expiring three-year, $19.95 million extension and $6.65 million average annual value. But how much? The salary cap is rising from $88 million to $95.50 million next season and then additional leaps to $104 million and $113.50 million the following two years.
Konecny has rewarded the faith by leading the Flyers in scoring this season with 62 points (22-40) through 58 games. Boeser has 35 points (18-17) in 49 games and missed seven with a November concussion. He was slow to recover with two goals in 13 games but then struck for six in four.
Boeser is still on pace for 30 goals that’s probably who he really is. And that’s attractive to any team. And the book for work also shows why Konecny and Boeser have remained connected.
Konecny had 181 points (80-101) over the past three seasons and consecutive seasons of 31 and 33 goals. Boeser had 174 points (81-93) in that span. And last season, the point-per-game comparison had Boeser at 0.90 and Konecny at 0.89.
Boeser’s biggest accomplishment last season wasn’t his career-high 40 goals in a season of redemption, or even 16 power-play goals that ranked seventh overall in the NHL. It was being a difference-maker when it mattered most because he has had his doubters.
He could score. But check? Be reliable? Handle tough matchup assignments?
“I wish I could have been out there with the guys. In a one-goal game. I’m sitting there and saying: ‘I could have scored.’ You don’t know what would have happened if I played,” Boeser said in his memorable season-ending address.
“I would have done anything to be out there. I asked if I could play and tried to push them, but the risks were too big. I had to protect my future and you don’t want health issues moving forward.”
Boeser had three goals in that series and nine goals against the Oilers in 11 games during 2023-24. He also learned to score by getting to the inside for screens, tips and deflections. Those are the tough areas where goals are scored today, instead of hanging out in the perimeter and unloading a hotshot.
Last season, Boeser had eight tipped goals by mid-March and was in a four-way tie for second overall in that category with Sam Reinhart, Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin.
“You continue to see where a lot of these guys score from and it’s within five feet of the net,” Boeser told Postmedia. “That’s what the coaches have talked about and I’ve tried to get my mindset to parking my rear end in front of the net and creating stuff.”
Boeser has also shown amazing resolve while being the trade-rumour crosshairs.
In March of 2023, his named surfaced. He had pledged to score 30 goals, but a fluky training-camp injury and struggles to heal a surgically repaired hand sent him on a trajectory of ineffectiveness and indifference.
He didn’t score in his first 11 games, had just nine goals at the NHL All-Star Game break. Boeser’s agent had permission to broker a trade because it appeared a change may be required. It didn’t occur.