Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser is taking a patient approach to his contract extension negotiations as he heads into the final season of his current deal. The talented forward, who had a strong 2023-24 campaign despite battling a blood clot injury, is focused on proving himself once again as he looks to secure his future in Vancouver.
Boeser, who recently disclosed that he has been cleared to return to on-ice activities after being on blood thinners, is not rushing the process. “Just let it play out,” Boeser told NHL.com, emphasizing his desire to focus on his performance on the ice. “Obviously coming off a blood clot, I think I’ve got a lot to prove, just kind of dealing with that little setback. So, I’m just focused on having a great camp again like I did last year, and trying to have a fast start to this season again.”
The 27-year-old forward is currently signed at a cap hit of $6.65 million in the last year of his three-year contract. With unrestricted free agency looming next summer, Boeser’s future with the Canucks remains uncertain as negotiations for an extension could extend into the season.
Boeser’s 2023-24 season came to an abrupt end when he was sidelined for Game 6 of Vancouver’s second-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers due to a blood clot. Despite the setback, Boeser had a career-high 40 goals and 73 points in 81 regular-season games, followed by seven goals and 12 points in 12 playoff games.
Reflecting on the injury, Boeser said, “It’s obviously something we look back on and it was a tough scenario, but I’m just happy that I can move forward and really focus on this season.” The forward’s resilience and determination to bounce back from adversity are evident as he gears up for the upcoming season.
With negotiations potentially carrying over into the season, the Canucks face a situation similar to last year when they inked center Elias Pettersson to an eight-year, $92.8 million deal in March. As Vancouver prepares to open their preseason against the Seattle Kraken on Sept. 24 and their regular-season opener against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 9, the uncertainty surrounding Boeser’s contract status adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming campaign.
