On July 1, as free agency began, the Vancouver Canucks surprised many by securing star winger Brock Boeser with a seven-year contract extension. Despite wide expectations that Boeser might explore options with other teams, his loyalty to the franchise that drafted him in 2015 remained clear. The Canucks’ front office carefully crafted this deal to balance loyalty and team flexibility, aiming to sustain success throughout the contract’s duration.
Financial Terms Designed for Growth and Stability
The contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $7.25 million, a manageable cap hit for a player of Boeser’s caliber. Considering his contributions to Vancouver’s offense since becoming a regular in the 2017-18 season, this figure appears equitable for both parties. As the NHL salary cap is projected to increase significantly over the coming years, this cap hit will become even more advantageous for the Canucks in future seasons.
Currently, Boeser’s contract occupies about 7.59% of Vancouver’s salary cap for the ongoing season. By the time the deal concludes in 2032, this proportion is expected to shrink due to anticipated cap growth beyond the 2027-28 forecast of $113.5 million. Boeser’s consistent scoring ability, highlighted by his recent 40-goal campaign in 2023-24, reinforces the value Vancouver gains from this contract. Even with a slight dip in production last season amid a turbulent period on and off the ice, Boeser remains a crucial offensive asset and locker room presence.
Trade Protections Crafted to Benefit the Canucks
Beyond salary and term, the contract includes strategic trade protection clauses that favor Vancouver’s control while respecting Boeser’s status. He holds a no-movement clause (NMC) for the first four seasons, completely limiting the Canucks’ ability to trade him without his approval during this peak period. However, following those initial years, the NMC ends and is replaced with a 15-team no-trade list for the final three seasons.
This structure aligns with the Canucks’ recent practice of blending full no-movement clauses early in contracts with more flexible no-trade clauses later on. The result is that Boeser has full trade protection while expected to be in his prime and a key performer, minimizing disruption if the team wishes to retain him. Toward the ending seasons, the Canucks gain greater freedom to explore trade options, being able to move him to half the league without his consent. This nuanced approach demonstrates a shrewd balancing act by general manager Patrik Allvin and his team, providing both security and adaptability.
A Well-Balanced Deal with a Promising Outlook
Overall, Brock Boeser’s extension is advantageous for both the player and the Canucks. The contract’s terms are financially reasonable and position Vancouver to capitalize on salary cap increases, while trade clauses guard the team’s interests across the contract’s duration. By maintaining Boeser’s presence during his prime years, the Canucks reinforce their offensive foundation as they pursue deeper playoff success. Going forward, this deal may prove pivotal in shaping Vancouver’s competitiveness and long-term roster strategies.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Brock Boeser wear 6?
A. Boeser dons the number 6 to honor two important individuals: his dad, Duke Boeser, and his late friend, Ty Alyea. His father used to wear number 6 while playing hockey, so Boeser chose to wear the same number to show respect for him.
Q. Is Brock Boeser healthy?
A. Fortunately, Boeser now feels sure about his health for the long term after the scare. He’s lucky that not only is he healthy, but his recovery from the blood clot problem barely affected his offseason workouts.
Q. How did Brock Boeser get his blood clot?
A. During Game 1, a blocked shot led to a blood clot. The condition got worse throughout the series. After Game 6, a scan showed the clot had moved from a small vein to a deep one, which made him miss the team’s Game 7 elimination loss.
Q. How did Brock Boeser get blood clots?
A. During the second-round playoff series against the Oilers last season, the 27-year-old got a blood clot in his leg. He developed the clot after blocking a shot in Game 1, and it became more serious as the series went on.