The future of Vancouver Canucks’ forward Brock Boeser may largely depend on the decisions Toronto Maple Leafs’ winger Mitch Marner makes when the NHL free agency period begins on July 1. If Marner hits the open market as an unrestricted free agent, the choices he makes could significantly influence Boeser’s value and prospects this summer.

NHL insider Rick Dhaliwal explained that since both Marner and Boeser are right-shot wingers, their free agency situations are closely connected. As Marner is widely regarded as the premier prize in the upcoming free agent pool, teams unable to sign him might turn their attention to Boeser instead, creating a ripple effect in the market for right-wing players.

“Boeser’s future could be linked to Mitch Marner,”

Dhaliwal remarked.

“Both right-shot, right-wingers. Marner’s the prize catch on the free agent market, but the teams that don’t get Marner… are they going to shift over to Brock Boeser? The right-wing market after Marner and Boeser is very small, so keep an eye on where Marner goes, and those teams that have that money, do they shift over Boeser?”

With less than two weeks remaining before free agency opens, neither Marner’s status with Toronto nor Boeser’s situation in Vancouver has been finalized. The Canucks remain focused on assessing Boeser’s long-term fit with the team as they seek to reach an agreement with the 28-year-old winger, who recently completed a 50-point season.

Earlier this year, The Athletic’s Thomas Drance reported that Vancouver extended a significant offer to Boeser, aiming to keep him.

“It’s fair to say that the balance of probabilities strongly suggests that the club will move forward without (Boeser),”

Drance wrote.

“It’s come to this despite the Canucks making a sizeable effort to retain Boeser ahead of the NHL trade deadline. It was an offer — reportedly a five-year deal worth $40 million.”

Currently, Boeser is set to become an unrestricted free agent after his three-year contract, valued at $19.95 million, concludes. Should the Canucks not agree on a new deal before July 1, multiple teams are prepared to pursue him aggressively.

Dhaliwal highlighted the strong interest around the league:

“Travis Green and Mike Yeo in Ottawa, they love Boeser. Tocchet in Philly. The Kings have liked Boeser for a while. The Bruins were poking around at the trade deadline. Minnesota’s looking for goal scorers. There’s going to be interest.”

Possible Moves Around Elias Pettersson’s Contract Outlook

As the free agency deadline approaches, the Canucks face ongoing decisions regarding key players like Elias Pettersson, whose contract status remains a focal point in the team’s long-term planning. These decisions will shape the roster and contribute to the club’s direction moving forward.

Vancouver’s Strategy May Involve Trading Veterans to Promote Youth

The Canucks appear ready to consider moving veteran players as part of a broader pivot toward developing younger talent. This potential strategy shift suggests the team is preparing for a transition period, focusing on building around emerging stars while managing salary commitments carefully. This approach could affect Boeser’s standing depending on the team’s broader roster adjustments.

In summary, Mitch Marner’s free agency decision is poised to create a domino effect that impacts Brock Boeser’s market value and options as he approaches unrestricted free agency. The interconnected nature of the right-wing market means teams reassessing their priorities based on Marner’s choice may determine where Boeser lands, making this summer pivotal for both players and the teams involved.