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National Post

Canucks: Is the door still open for goal scorer Brock Boeser?

This summer, the Vancouver Canucks know they need to secure a couple of forwards who can produce. Both president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin have been clear on this. Article content Article content Given that need, the position they've publicly taken on Brock Boeser 's future has been very odd. As Travis Green used to rightly remind anyone who would listen, the NHL isn't an easy league to score in. Guys who can score are valued. Article content So the position taken by the Canucks, after many negotiations with the player and his representatives, that Boeser has 'earned the right to explore free agency' seems strange. Sure, he's an imperfect player, but most players are and he does do one thing very well: score goals. Article content The reality is the team needs goals and Boeser scores goals. Article content It was not surprising to hear that Allvin might be changing his tune a little. Article content 'We're going to see if there's a chance to keep Brock Boeser,' Allvin said, during an address Thursday to Canucks season ticket holders. Article content But given the previous rhetoric, especially how Allvin framed Boeser's value at the trade deadline, the frustration from Boeser's camp about it all, it's hard to imagine that the door is wide open. Article content Article content There's been plenty of time for the team to bring an offer to the table that's closer to what Boeser's agent Ben Hankinson believes his client can get on the open market. Boeser is surely willing to take a hometown discount, that's how much he likes living in Vancouver, but he's also not going to give away what might be the only big payday in his career – especially with where the Canucks now find themselves. Article content Article content This is a team that's reeling from a poor season, that lost one of its key players midseason over a still-unexplained circumstance that was apparently related to a rift between that player and another key player. Article content Article content This is a team that just lost its coach, who had a very good relationship with Boeser. You wonder if Rick Tocchet 's departure has hardened Boeser's thoughts on his future; if Tocchet had re-signed, Boeser might have been more likely to re-sign as well. Article content It's hard not to conclude that the door to re-sign Boeser closed at the trade deadline. The player has been very clear to the Canucks about what he believes he's worth. Article content Boeser and Hankinson know that teams out there do like him. Could a hometown return to the Minnesota Wild be in the cards? What about a team like the Carolina Hurricanes, who we know has expressed trade interest in him before? Article content There are surely other teams out there who are interested in a winger who scores at a second-line rate, who is a solid forechecker and who has greatly improved his defensive game? Sure, he's not the fleetest of foot and that is the biggest reason why he's never been a truly elite winger, but he's still a dependable player and most teams would be happy to have his skill set. Article content Article content Article content Article content