There are lots of rumblings and rumors going around about the Canucks possibly trading star Right Winger Brock Boeser and how the Minnesota Wild may be interested. So, what would it take for the Wild to land a gifted Right Winger?
(UPDATE: Vancouver Canucks Jim Benning has stated he hasn’t had any trade talks with Brock Boeser… which is somewhat exactly what he’s supposed to do.)
The native of Burnsville, Minnesota played two seasons at the University of North Dakota, before being signed by the Canucks at the end of the 2016-2017 season. Boeser gave a glimpse of his scoring talent to Canucks fans by scoring four goals in nine games with Vancouver.
Boeser has the potential to consistently score 30 goals… if he stays healthy. The 23-year old is coming off a year that saw him miss time due to injury again. In his last three seasons with the Canucks, Boeser has never played more than 70 games, which may be a little alarming. Despite that, Boeser has recorded 75 goals and 86 assists for 161 points in 197 games.
The 2015 23rd overall pick is under contract for 2 more seasons, making an AAV of $5,875,000 Million. With some contract protection and his ability to be a 30+ goal scorer, why might the Canucks trade him?
TSN Radio Vancouver’s Matt Sekeres says,
With the flat salary cap next season, it puts the Vancouver Canucks in a hard spot. Some notable Canucks players that are needing a contract are Tyler Toffoli, Jake Virtanen, Chris Tanev, Troy Stecher, and Jacob Markström.
As Matt Sekeres reported, it sounds like the Canucks are in contract negotiations with winger Tyler Toffoli and goaltender Jacob Markström. To re-sign these two, the Canucks are either going to let some players walk, trade high contract players, or buy-out some current contracts.
Why has Boeser’s name been linked to the Wild?
Well, Boeser grew up in Burnsville Minnesota and played for Burnsville High School. So, Canucks GM Jim Benning may want to send Boeser home if the deal is right.
Although, I’d love to have Boeser, Kaprizov, Fiala, and Parise as my top-six wingers for the future, the Wild need centers and bad.
Fellow Gone Puck Wild Contributor Brandon Quast and I came up with a couple of trades that would send the Burnsville native home.
More from Gone Puck Wild
- Defenseman Matt Dumba signs one-year contract with Arizona
- Minnesota Wild reach agreement with Brandon Duhaime on one-year contract
- Minnesota Wild receive mixed grades for picks in NHL Entry Draft
- Minnesota Wild draft heavy on centers and home-state selections
- Minnesota Wild open regular season at home against Stanley Cup Finalist
The rumor is Canucks GM Jim Benning values Tyler Toffoli higher than Brock Boeser, so Benning might be exploring the option of trading him. Benning also doesn’t want to give up a top prospect and a second-round pick just for a rental in Tyler Toffoli.
So, having Toffoli replace him and Boeser being traded for more than what the Canucks gave up for Toffoli, would have Benning feel a lot better.
A possible 20 goal scorer in Luke Kunin would provide the Canucks a good 2nd to 3rd line center, also for cheap. The first-round selection provides the Canucks with a future prospect. Damien Giroux posted 44 goals and 31 assists for 75 points in 61 games for the Saginaw Spirit, proving Benning and the Canucks with a future scoring center.
Brandon Quast’s Trade
Brandon Quast breakdown his trade,
"“While Vancouver probably wouldn’t be overly excited about the return, they aren’t giving Boeser up for nothing. On the Wild side of things, Boeser would make an instant impact in Minnesota’s top 6, provided Zuccarello is moved. Although, Minnesota would be limping with moving Eriksson Ek on a team already starving for a number 1 center. The move could be worth it for a player of Brock Boeser’s caliber.”"
Breakdown
The Canucks will likely be asking for a first-round pick and two prospects in return for Boeser. Many think Dumba would be on the move to Vancouver for Boeser, but that’s not the case. Benning is having trouble with his current team’s salary. With Boeser making an AAV of $5,875,000 and Dumba making an AAV of $6,000,000 a trade sending Dumba to Vancouver wouldn’t make any sense, cap-wise.
Boeser would most likely fit as a second line Right Winger, behind Kevin Fiala. He would fit very well on the team playing a top 6 role, power play time, and being a right-handed shooting forward, something the Wild need.
So if Brock Boeser coming home? I guess time will tell.
All stats and contracts courtesy of CapFriendly