Elliotte Friedman Uncovers Surprising Twist in the Brock Boeser and Canucks Negotiations

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman uncovered a surprising twist in the Brock Boeser-Canucks negotiations, and believes the team knew all along he was staying.

For months, all signs were that Brock Boeser was going to depart in free agency. Rumors were circulating throughout the season that Vancouver would trade him prior to the March 7 deadline so that they wouldn't lose him for nothing.

When no trade was made and no extension was signed, most thought his time as a Canuck were over once free agency opened.

That was the theory that rolled into the offseason, when the insiders and everyone else presumed for sure that Brock Boeser was going to be signing elsewhere.

Then, just last week, the Vancouver Canucks stunned the world of hockey by signing Brock Boeser to a seven-year, $7.25 million-per-season contract extension that will keep him playing in Vancouver until 2032.

Even NHL insider Elliotte Friedman admitted he was completely surprised by the signing.

Most insiders thought Boeser was guaranteed to be signing elsewhere

On his show, Friedman stated that everyone in the know presumed for sure Boeser was going elsewhere, and now is wondering about whether the Canucks knew all along he was remaining, and simply kept it close to their vests.

Kyle Bukauskas: 'I kind of wondered, did the Canucks know Boeser wanted to be there all along?'

Elliotte Friedman: 'I think there's definitely truth to that; Rutherford knew he could go back to this if he wanted to; I didn't see it coming, it fooled me.'