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Insider: Brock Boeser will walk away from Canucks
Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser. Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

An NHL insider believes that pending UFA Brock Boeser could leave the Vancouver Canucks in free agency, even if it's just for a slightly higher salary.

This news emerges at the same time as a different insider dropped a massive rumor about head coach Rick Tocchet.

With rumors swirling leading up to the NHL's trade deadline on March 7, the Vancouver Canucks opted to keep Brock Boeser as their own rental rather than dealing him to another club.

Patrik Allvin commented on that decision, saying that the value just wasn't there and they didn't get any offers the organization liked, which raised some eyebrows of many around the game, with some wondering if Boeser's time with the Canucks would be over on July 1.

Insider says Brock Boeser could take leave as UFA rather than stay with Vancouver

During an appearance on "Canucks Central" with Dan Riccio and Satiar Shah on Monday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli says that after the comments made by Patrik Allvin, he could see Brock Boeser leaving the organization, rather than taking a low offer from Vancouver.

"I don't have any doubts and I'm not saying it's going to be exactly 50 [million], whether it's 46 or 45 or 50, 48, he'll be just fine. I'm not speaking for him because I haven't talked to him, but I say the thought process I would have is, if that's the way this team I've been incredibly loyal to is going to talk about me, then I'd rather take 44 from somewhere else than 41 here or 42 here," Seravalli said.

For a team that needs goal-scoring desperately, if they do let Brock Boeser walk to free agency on July 1 rather than re-signing him to a long-term deal, Patrik Allvin is going to need to be aggressive on the trade and UFA front to replace that production.

There certainly isn't a shortage of potential options for the Vancouver Canucks once July 1 hits, including Nikolaj Ehlers, Taylor Hall, Patrick Kane and others — if they do end up becoming free agents and don't re-sign with their current teams.

Boeser, 28, is having a bit of a down year when compared to 2023-24 where he had 40 goals and 73 assists, but he's still on pace for the sixth NHL season with 20-plus goals, which will garner him plenty of attention on the free-agent market.

There's still plenty of time between now and July 1 for the Vancouver Canucks and Brock Boeser to work out a contract extension, which is something most fans are hoping for, at a reasonable salary for both player and club.

This article first appeared on Canucks Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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