NHL insider David Pagnotta has indicated that Brock Boeser is very likely to leave the Vancouver Canucks during the upcoming offseason, either through a trade or free agency. The 28-year-old forward, who was drafted by Vancouver as the 23rd overall pick in 2015, now faces an uncertain future with the team.
Reasons Behind Boeser’s Expected Departure
The Canucks’ choice to withhold a new contract offer during Boeser’s contract final year surprised many in the hockey community. According to Pagnotta, the team’s plan involves adding more offensive players and effectively replacing Boeser, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
“The focus in Vancouver seems to be centred around adding more offence up front and replacing Brock Boeser, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer,”
Pagnotta wrote on May 30.
In addition, a team source described Boeser’s re-signing as highly unlikely, noting his readiness to embark on a new phase in his career and predicting he will attract considerable interest due to the limited pool of free agents this summer.
“Boeser, 28, is a ‘longshot’ to re-sign with the Canucks, one team source confirmed to me this week. He is prepared to move on to the next chapter of his career and will attract significant interest this summer, especially given the limited market.”
Hockey insiders remain puzzled as to why the Canucks retained Boeser past the trade deadline in March, with some sources suggesting the team hoped to make a playoff push that never happened. Now, with a shallow free agent class, Boeser is expected to be a sought-after player among contenders.
Boeser’s Performance and Contract Status
This past season, Boeser scored 25 goals and totaled 50 points over 75 games, a decline from his career-best 40 goals and 73 points the previous year. Over his nine seasons with Vancouver, he has amassed 434 regular-season points, including 204 goals and 230 assists, along with 23 points in 29 playoff games.
He is currently in the final year of a three-year contract worth $19.95 million. Earlier this year, Boeser almost confirmed he would not return to Vancouver, expressing frustration about the season’s difficulties.
“Honestly, it’s unlikely at this point,”
Boeser told NHL.com when asked about re-signing. He added,
“It [stinks]. It’s unfortunate. I’m just trying to play good hockey, and then I’ll worry about everything after that. We all know it’s been a roller coaster of a year. There’s been a lot of different things.”
Vancouver Canucks’ Challenging 2024–25 Season
The 2024–25 season saw the Canucks face numerous setbacks, from a promising start to a series of injuries involving key players like captain Quinn Hughes, center Elias Pettersson, and goaltender Thatcher Demko. Boeser himself missed seven games due to a concussion. Ultimately, the team finished 38-30-14 and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.
Pagnotta also reported that Vancouver is entertaining offers for Pettersson, whose no-movement clause becomes active on July 1. Demko is reportedly open to a trade as well. Meanwhile, the franchise’s direction remains unclear following former head coach Rick Tocchet’s decision not to renew his contract.
Potential Impact and Upcoming Developments
Boeser’s likely departure represents a major shift for the Canucks as they look to restructure their offense. His exit, combined with the possible trades of Pettersson and Demko, could signal a rebuilding phase after several years of playoff disappointments. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the offseason unfolds to see how Vancouver navigates these changes and what the team’s future lineup will look like.