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Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

What Re-Signing Brock Boeser Really Means to the Canucks

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 1:55 PM ET

On a day when many believed the Brock Boeser era had run its course, the Vancouver Canucks pulled off a bold and hopeful pivot. Boeser didn’t walk in free agency. Instead, he signed a seven-year, $50.75 million extension—a move that surprised many. The bigger question arises: Has the Canucks’ re-signing of core players signalled something more critical? Is the mood in Vancouver shifting—and quickly?

For a city perched on the edge of the Pacific, it feels like the tide might finally be turning. What just last week felt like an undertow of uncertainty might be replaced by a rising swell of self-belief. If this momentum holds, it won’t just be a renewal of optimism—it could become a full-on shift for both the team and the city. If so, fans might finally be in for some positive news on the season.

Ian MacIntyre: “The Door Wasn’t Locked”

On Sportsnet, veteran reporter Ian MacIntyre summed it up nicely: “That door may have been shut, but it was not locked.” MacIntyre pointed to something that often gets lost in analytics and contract chatter—the human side of hockey. Despite uncertainty about his future, Boeser had long wanted to stay in Vancouver. He’s settled, likes his teammates, loves the city, and ultimately, he followed his heart.

For the Canucks, MacIntyre noted, the shift likely came when they realized just how hard it is to replace a player like Boeser in today’s NHL market. The salary cap is rising, most teams have room to spend, and everyone’s looking to take a step forward. That means impact players are tough to acquire by trade or free agency. So, if you’re Vancouver, and the best free agent is already wearing your jersey, why not do what it takes to keep him?

Dan Murphy: “They Believe in Each Other”

Dan Murphy, also of Sportsnet, took the point further. The Canucks didn’t just lock up Boeser. They also announced extensions for Conor Garland (six years) and Thatcher Demko (three years). After a season marked by high expectations, playoff frustration, and the emotional weight of a deep run that came up short, it would have been easy for players to start looking elsewhere. Instead, they recommitted.

To Murphy, the message is clear: “They believe in the program. They believe in each other.” And, crucially, they believe in management.

After acquiring Evander Kane last week, GM Patrik Allvin’s comments offer further insight. He emphasized how much it mattered that Kane wanted to come to Vancouver. With these recent extensions, that message lands even harder: players who’ve lived through both good and evil in Vancouver still want to be here. That says something.

What These Signings Mean for the Canucks

When players like Boeser, Demko, and Garland re-sign—not just on bridge deals but with long-term commitments—they’re doing more than betting on the team. They’re signalling that the culture has changed. The team was once weighed down by inconsistency, rumours of locker room tension, and annual questions about its direction. Now? There’s a feeling of momentum. Of belief.

Conor Garland, Vancouver Canucks (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

Boeser’s contract, in particular, sends a strong message. He could’ve tested the market and earned a competitive offer elsewhere, especially with the rising cap and a weak free-agent class. But he didn’t. He stayed. That kind of loyalty can ripple through a roster and an organization. It makes buying in easier for future free agents—internal or external. It’s the kind of deal that builds identity and long-term cohesion.

Are Canucks’ Fans Witnessing a Different Feeling in Vancouver?

For fans and observers, the vibe is noticeably different. After years of churn and short-term thinking, the Canucks are starting to build a fundamental core—not just in skill but in commitment. Boeser is the longest-tenured Canuck. Demko is the emotional backbone of the goal. Garland is a relentless competitor. When those players choose to stay, it suggests that whatever funk hovered over the team in past seasons might finally be lifting.

This is no longer just about talent acquisition. It’s about keeping players who want to be in Vancouver—and having them say so with their signatures. That tells us something the numbers alone can’t. In short, Boeser’s re-signing is like a shot of sunshine on a rainy Vancouver day.