According to NHL commentator Brendan Batchelor, Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser should be traded while his value is at its peak. Batchelor, the play-by-play voice for the Canucks on Sportsnet, has closely observed Boeser’s development. He shared his perspective on the Canucks Talk Show on Sportsnet, highlighting Boeser’s recent success with 40 goals and a relatively injury-free season, particularly while playing on a productive line with J.T. Miller.
Batchelor suggested that if the Canucks are uncertain about affording Boeser’s future contract, it would be prudent to trade him now. He noted, “He’s a player that teams would prize and would pay a premium to acquire.”
However, interested teams would need to address Boeser’s health concerns, especially the blood clot issue that sidelined him during Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers in this year’s playoffs. Boeser has one year left on his contract at $6.65 million and will become an unrestricted free agent afterward. Thus, the Canucks might consider trading him if they doubt their ability to secure a long-term extension.
What should the #Canucks do with Brock Boeser?
🔉@BatchHockey weighs in on a potential Boeser trade ⬇ pic.twitter.com/nCMYLO5PWP
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) May 31, 2024
Leading up to the 2023 trade deadline, the Canucks were in a selling phase, having traded former captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders. There were also talks of a deal with the Minnesota Wild to acquire Boeser, which ultimately fell through. With the Wild currently holding just over $5 million in cap space, they would need to make salary adjustments to accommodate Boeser’s contract.
The potential for Boeser to join the Wild is promising, especially as he would be a hometown favorite. For the Canucks, trading Boeser now would prevent losing him for nothing in free agency, making a Canucks-Wild trade a potential win-win situation.
