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Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Canucks Should Have Traded Brock Boeser

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Lukas Bernasiewicz | Last updated Mar 9, 2025 2:35 PM ET

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone, and several bombs were dropped on the hockey world with big moves being made by teams. But for the second year in a row, the Vancouver Canucks were relatively quiet on trade deadline day and did not make any big moves other than trading Carson Soucy. A big fish that general manager Patrik Allvin could have traded was Brock Boeser, and he chose not to, which was a huge mistake by the organization.

This Was the Perfect Time to Trade Boeser

This Friday’s trade deadline was unlike any I have seen in the past five years. Every player was being sold for above their market value, as we saw with examples like Anthony Beauvillier being traded for a second-round pick and Jake Walman being moved to the Edmonton Oilers for a conditional first-round pick. Never mind the humongous blockbusters like the Mikko Rantanen trade and the Brock Nelson trade, which were massive moves by both the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.

This was a seller’s market and the Canucks should have taken advantage of that. With reports circulating that the Canucks were looking for a first-round pick but were unable to get that price from anyone, I can see why they decided not to take those deals. But the offers given to them must have included prospects or players that can help the Canucks in the future. A future that, as of right now, looks like Boeser will not be a part of.

By trading away Boeser as an expiring contract with a reasonable cap hit, the Canucks could have added more to their team and helped with the current re-tooling process happening in Vancouver. They could have re-couped some assets like young prospects or even a second-round pick. Instead, they opted to hold onto Boeser, who currently is not signed for next season, and last reports indicate that the two sides are not close to an extension.

Canucks Could Lose Boeser for Nothing

Since the Canucks decided not to trade Boeser for any assets, they now risk the chance that he could walk to free agency and sign with a new team. Boeser and the Canucks have been talking about a contract extension, and the last update that was given to the public is that Boeser turned down an $8 million per-year deal for five years. According to Frank Serevalli of Daily Faceoff, Boeser is looking for a deal that is six years or longer. If term is a big deal for Boeser and the Canucks are unwilling to offer him any more than five years, Boeser has every right to look at other options in free agency and get the contract that he wants. This would leave the Canucks with a big hole in their top six.

If the Canucks let this happen and allow Boeser to leave for free, that would be horrible asset management for the organization. You can’t let players on your team who are as talented as Boeser leave without getting anything in return. Even if the price wasn’t as high as Allvin would have wanted, getting any type of asset for a player in this situation is a win, since you can use them to help you in the future. Instead, the Canucks will now be fighting for a playoff spot, likely just to lose in round one and lose Boeser.

Deciding not to trade Boeser was a mistake by the Canucks because he looks like he will be a free agent come July 1. The price may not have met Allvin’s expectations, but getting something is better than getting nothing, which is what they will have to show for if Boeser signs with a different team on July 1.