We’ve got another edition of NHL rumours ready to go. It’s the middle of August and sometimes the hot stove can be shut off to save fuel. However, it can fire back up in just a matter of time. General managers are always thinking about the future and contracts for their players. The Vancouver Canucks made a huge step forward last season and one forward in particular played a hand in that revival. Today’s edition of NHL rumours deals with what that player’s next contract may look like.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Possible Contract Numbers for Vancouver Canucks Forward
Rumour: Patrick Johnston of The Province took a look at what the next deal for forward Brock Boeser. The former University of North Dakota product is in the final year of a deal that sees him make $6.65 million.
Analysis: Boeser potted a career-high 40 goals in the most-recent season for the Canucks. He’s certainly played his way into the conversation for being one of the better wingers in the league. However, one wonders if he’s done enough to get a nice pay raise.
The 27-year-old could get that raise if he has another career-best season for a team trending upward. A deal for Boeser will likely be a top priority for Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin.
However, what would a new deal look like for the Burnsville, Minn. native? Boeser deserves a raise, but how big one will he get?
A Contract Template
Johnston brought up that Boeser could use J.T. Miller‘s contract as a possible template for a new deal. Miller inked a seven-year contract that carries an $8 million cap hit. Boeser would be two years younger than when Miller signed his deal.
That could give Boeser a nice amount of money and a long-term deal that would carry into his mid-30s. However, one wonders what will work for the Canucks and Boeser’s agent Ben Hankinson.
Boeser got a lot of ice time in clutch situations and probably wants to get paid like a clutch player. Head coach Rick Tocchet put a lot of faith in the American winger, so it makes sense that he wants to come away with a decent pay bump.
Other Comparisons
Johnston also brought up other forwards that could be a template for Boeser’s next deal. The Daily Faceoff provided analysis of a number of forwards that were entering their 30s when they have a contract come up.
Names like Tyler Toffoli, Mats Zucarello, Alex Radulov, Paul Stastny, John Tavares, Artemi Panarin and Zach Hyman were analyzed and so were their deals. One thing those deals show is that Boeser will provide solid value for the first couple of seasons. However, Father Time is undefeated and the inevitable production drop will eventually come.
All of this leads to a raise for Boeser, but Vancouver is only likely to give him a small one. The $8 million cap hit that Miller got may not be in the cards for Boeser. Something along the lines of $7 million to $7.5 million might be what Boeser gets when all is said and done. That’s providing if another club doesn’t bowl him over with an offer if he gets to the open market.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
