Pros And Cons Of Canucks Making Brock Boeser A Trade Asset

Although many are focused on whether the Vancouver Canucks trade one of star centers Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller, there’s a pending UFA with an uncertain future as well.

That's right winger Brock Boeser, who would be one of the top players available on the NHL trade market if Vancouver put him there.

Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos believes that it's more likely Boeser will be moved by the trade deadline if they can't re-sign him. Boeser could act as their own rental in a playoff push, or the Canucks could try to get a return for him.

Here, then, are the pros and cons of the Canucks trading Boeser:

Pro: In a seller’s market, Boeser would bring a terrific return of assets

The 27-year-old Boeser is again having a strong season, posting 15 goals and 27 points in 36 games – not the same pace that saw him generate a career-high 40 goals and 73 points in 2023-24 but still a nearly 30-goal pace this season.

Canucks GM Patrik Allvin could land a great return for Boeser on the trade market – especially for someone who will be a UFA at the end of this season. Boeser isn’t necessarily going to be the biggest prize available via trade. Still, the Canucks could easily land help for the present and the future in return for him, such as either draft picks, a winger or a puck-moving defenseman, and that’s a good reason to try to get a trade completed for his services.

Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest Canucks, Oilers And Blackhawks Speculation

Con: A Boeser trade doesn’t solve the rumored rift between stars Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller

A Boeser trade won’t address the issues believed by some to be between Pettersson and Miller. There’s a compelling case to be made that Vancouver’s season could be sunk by issues within the dressing room, and sending Boeser away – when he may be one of the Canucks who wants to be part of the solution over the long haul – could prove to be a mistake.

If the team and Boeser’s agent can make the money work – giving him a raise on the $6.65 million he’s earning this year – bringing him under team control for the long haul is probably the best strategy to help keep Vancouver in the playoff mix for many years to come.

Related: The Worst Thing The Canucks Could Do Right Now Is Trade J.T. Miller Or Elias Pettersson

Pro: Without a contract extension for Boeser, the could walk away in free agency for nothing

Many, if not most, NHL GMs want to lock up the core of their team so their players will all be a known financial quantity for a long time. Unless the Canucks get Boeser’s signature on a contract extension in the next few weeks, they’re going to face a considerable risk that Boeser leaves the organization this summer without Vancouver having anything to show for it.

That’s reason enough to at least see what Boeser could bring the Canucks via a trade. And if Allvin sees that the return for Boeser could address many of Vancouver’s areas of concern, he has to move. It may hurt in the short term, but it could be best in the long term.

Con: Trading Boeser would make a subpar Canucks offense less effective

The Canucks currently have the NHL's 22nd-ranked offense at 2.88 goals-for per game. Taking away Boeser would be taking away the Canucks’ second-top goal-scorer and sixth-best point producer this season. That could hurt the team as it pushes for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Instead, keeping Boeser around will ensure that Vancouver remains a post-season squad. Given that Boeser hasn’t reportedly asked to be traded, finding a way to hang onto him – even if it means flirting with the possibility he leaves town this summer – is what’s best for the Canucks.

Pro: Signing Jake DeBrusk last off-season should bring in enough offense to ensure Vancouver doesn’t miss Boeser too much over the long term

DeBrusk currently leads Vancouver in goals, with 17. The left winger is just one year older than Boeser, and he’s signed for the next six years at $5.5 million per season. If you can use Boeser’s salary cap space to address other areas – quality depth on ‘D,’ for instance – you can do so. Vancouver's not absent of forward talent.

Con: If you give up on Boeser when he’s at or near the peak of his game, you may quickly discover it’s not nearly so easy to replace what he brings to the table

Boeser has been one of Vancouver’s most reliable performers, as he’s produced at least 23 goals or more in five of the last seven seasons. Is it really a good idea to bid him farewell? Many observers would suggest otherwise.

It could be the best move for the player and the team to show that the Canucks still have faith in him.

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