Sportsnet names the Leafs as a great fit for a coveted scoring winger who was recently placed on the trading block
The Vancouver Canucks had high hopes entering this season after the way things ended in 2021-22. Things have not gone their way again this season. Thatcher Demko is a shell of his former self and currently on the IR, and while things have picked up recently (7-3-0 in their last 10 games) their salary situation has many teams circling them like vultures.
Soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Bo Horvat is having a sensational season as he has racked up 20 goals and 27 points in 26 games and is sure to get a sizeable raise from his current $5.5 million AAV. They have Elias Pettersson signed through 2023-24 at $7.35 million AAV and J.T. Miller's $8 million AAV, 8-year extension is going to kick in next year. Conor Garland has 3 more seasons at $4.95 million, and their top 3 defensemen - Quinn Hughes, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Tyler Myers - account for $21.11 million.
One name omitted from that list is Brock Boeser, who is currently signed for 2 more seasons at a $6.5 million cap hit. Teams aren't lining up for Myers or Ekman-Larsson, even though I'm sure the Canucks have tried in earnest to move both. Pettersson, Miller, and Hughes figure to be important building blocks for the present and future, and the Canucks can't afford to lose their top goal scorer and captain in Horvat.
Teams have been calling and it looks like there's traction in trade talks. Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday that Boeser's agent spoke with more than 6 interested teams and while the contract is difficult to fit for most contending teams, the Canucks don't want to retain any salary.
Boeser is a 4-time 20 goal scorer (29, 26, 23, 23) with 125 goals and 272 points in 344 career games. Last year was a relatively slow season for Brock as he finished with 46 points in 71 games - but he has 16 points in 20 games this season. He is also only 25 years old and would be an asset for any team moving forward, considering he has term left.
Elliotte Friedman has made mention that the Minnesota Wild would be a good fit but due to their tight financial situation, they might not be able to make it work. It doesn't help that they are on the hook for over $14.6 million dollars in dead cap next year and the year after from Ryan Suter and Zach Parise's buyouts. Another team that was mentioned were the Washington Capitals but as more of a "dark horse".
Anthony Stewart mentioned that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be a perfect fit. Another point producing, goal scoring winger that would balance the lines even more and bolster the top six. It's tough to argue against Boeser being a fit for the Leafs, but similarly to the issue in Minnesota, the Leafs may have a hard time fitting Boeser in financially.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 6 | 417 ANSWERS Sportsnet names the Leafs as a great fit for a coveted scoring winger who was recently placed on the trading block Is Brock Boeser a fit for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 232 | 55.6 % |
| No | 185 | 44.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
