Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser had a stellar 2023-24 season. That included 40 goals, However, before the biggest game of the Canucks season, it came to a crashing halt. Just before Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers, it was announced Boeser was dealing with a blood clot. A few days after the Canucks loss to Edmonton, Boeser revealed he was “crushed“ that he couldn’t play in the game. But a new season means new beginnings and a chance to start from zero. 2024-25 is going to be Boeser’s big year
Brock Boeser’s Big Year: Cleared to Play
On Monday, Boeser spoke to the media at the 40th annual Jake Milford Charity Classic. (an annual golf tournament hosted by the Canucks for charity.) The 27-year-old was optimistic about his health.
However, blood clots are dangerous and Boeser and the Canucks are taking caution on and off the ice this season.
Brock Boeser is off blood thinners and has resumed contact training.
It will still be a situation to monitor throughout this season. The forward says that he will need to be careful on flights this year.
Can wear compression gear and use the Normatec to help. #Canucks
— Noah Strang (@noahstrang_) September 9, 2024
“I was on blood thinners for a few months during the summer,” said Boeser per Daniel Wagner of Vancouver is Awesome. “I could still skate and stuff but I had to be careful, just contact-wise. But I’ve been off of them for a little bit now and I’ve gotten to start doing contact towards the end of the season.”
Boeser was also optimistic about the upcoming season he and the team feel good heading into it.
“I think we should have that swagger, that confidence going into the season,” he said. “It’s really exciting for me…I think it’s a great vibe right now and I think we’re gonna have a tremendous team. I think we set that standard and the expectation last year and now we have to build off it.”
Contract year for Boeser
Another reason why 2024-25 is Boeser’s big year is because it is a contract year. He is in the final year of a three-year contract worth $6.65 million this season. Given his career 2023-24 and depending on how he does this season, he is due for a raise.
It will be interesting to see what Boeser’s next contract looks like. His current deal and his previous deal were three-year deals. Does he take another short-term deal? Or does he want to take a long-term deal to stay in Vancouver?
As for the cap hit, it will likely be at least $7-8 million. There are risks and rewards to extending Boeser. The rewards are that he has established himself as a goal scorer and can also be a solid playmaker. The risks are his injury history and age, as he turns 28 on February 25.
However, Boeser isn’t too concerned about his contract at the moment.
“Let it play out,” he said on Monday per Ben Kuzma of The Province. “Obviously coming off the blot clot, I have a lot of prove and I don’t want to have any setbacks. I’m just focused on having a great camp like I did last year and have a fast start to the season again.”
What does a great season for Boeser look like?
Scoring 40 goals for the second straight season would be tough. Boeser scored a total of 73 points this past season and will look to build on that.
For a successful season, surpassing 73 points is ideal. However, he doesn’t necessarily have to score 40 goals again though no one would complain if he did. Boeser would have to be consistent offensively and while it isn’t something he can control, try to stay healthy.
There is no reason why the Boeser can’t have a better season than 2023-24. That is especially considering the depth of the Canucks forward core. He had chemistry last season with JT Miller and Pius Suter. This season, it is possible he could be on a line with the likes of Elias Pettersson or Nils Höglander. With Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen in the fold, Boeser could play with them as well.
It looks to hopefully be another season of Canucks hockey and Boeser will be a big part of it.
Main photo by: Bob Frid- Imagn Images
