Canucks: Brock Boeser never wanted to leave, now he's staying with stunning contract
You can go back home again.
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Unrestricted free agent winger Brock Boeser, a Minnesota native who has always considered Vancouver as his second home, turned his long franchise goodbye into a big hello Tuesday.
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Despite countless reports of where he was destined in free agency — and with as many six suitors vying for his services — the 28-year-old and longest serving current member of the Canucks has landed a seven-year deal at US$7.25 million annually. And with Boeser projected by AFP Analytics to get a six-year at $8.450 annually, there was some give and take.
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It's a stunning development because of a long and protracted negotiation period in which Boeser's camp was pushing for at least six years at market value and not the five that the Canucks pitched.
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And with general manager Patrik Allvin trying to move the winger at the March deadline, and dropping a bomb of assessment, instead of pumping his tires, the foundation for an off-season exit appeared in place
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'If I told you what I was offered for Brock Boeser, I think I would have to run out of here,' Allvin told reporters. 'Because you would not believe me.'
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'I've said how much I love it here and I'm more than willing to come back,' Boeser said as the season wound down. 'We'll see if we can figure something out. Obviously, I'd love to re-sign but if that's not the case, go to UFA and I'll be just fine. That's made me less stressed and just focusing on helping the team win.'
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The constant contract comparable was winger Travis Konecny of the Philadelphia Flyers because of how he and Boeser have remained aligned in production. Boeser and Konecny were the 23rd and 24th overall draft picks, respectively, in 2015 and then put up numbers that mirrored each other.
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Konecny signed an eight-year, $70 million extension on July 24, 2024 that carries an annual $8.75 million cap hit. It's a $3.25 million increase over his previous deal. It includes a no-movement clause in the first six years.
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