A source close to Canucks winger Brock Boeser’s camp told Vancouver Hockey Insider that the two sides were far apart on terms for a new contract the last time they spoke.
That would be last week in Denver, which jives, considering Boeser’s agent Ben Hankinson of Octagon sports was seen attending Vancouver’s 4-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on April 10th.
One of the underlying factors in Boeser not pressing for a continued tenure in Vancouver is his apparent disappointment with the direction of the club. The trade of his former linemate J.T. Miller, a man responsible for contributing a lot to Boeser’s production over the years, including his career-high 40-goal effort last season, didn’t help matters.
It was a “big blow”.
The Canucks also appear headed in a different direction. With the salary cap jumping more than $7-million dollars to $95.5-million for the 2025-’26 season, it appears the club will look to spend elsewhere for new talent and a new look in their top-six.
It’ll be an adjustment for Boeser’s devoted Vancouver fan base. The popular and very likeable Minnesotan joined the club directly out of college hockey at the University of North Dakota in the spring of 2016.
554 Canucks games later, it appears those faithful will have watched number-6 for the last time in a Vancouver sweater.
There might be one hope for another kick at the can, since team management will also be speaking to Octagon about unrestricted free agent defenceman Derek Forbort, one of the club’s four UFA’s on the active roster. One could assume Boeser’s name will come back up.
Don’t count on a resolution. This latest information and the most recent sentiment has been for these two ships to sail in opposite directions.
