Vancouver Canucks Should Target Mikkel Boedker

The Vancouver Canucks will have a busy offseason that may include some big free-agent signings.

The 2015-16 campaign was a highly disappointing one for the Vancouver Canucks, but the offseason has already started to make up for it. First of all, the Canucks will pick no lower than sixth overall at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Second, Vancouver signed college prospects Thatcher Demko and Troy Stecher. Last but not least, GM Jim Benning noted the Canucks might make a little splash in free agency.

As on most matters, Canucks fans’ opinions on what should happen on July 1 and after are divided. Should Vancouver try to sign Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos or homeboy Milan Lucic of the Los Angeles Kings? Will that do any good for the club?

The answer is probably yes. Still, it is unlikely that Stamkos would choose the Canucks over a team that has a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup or his hometown Toronto. As to Milan Lucic, the Vancouverite mentioned he wouldn’t mind playing in Vancouver but he is happy in Los Angeles and wants to re-sign with the Kings if he can.

But what about Colorado Avalanche forward Mikkel Boedker?

Why Boedker is more realistic than Stamkos or Lucic

What makes Boedker a better option than Stamkos or Lucic? Technically nothing, but signing him is a much more likely scenario.

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If Stamkos really does choose to test the market this year, every team that can fit him under the cap will try to sign him. Those teams who can’t will likely try to make room for him. He’s simply that good. Which brings us back to the question: why Vancouver?

As mentioned above, Lucic wants to stay in LA if he can. Boedker, however, is not attached to Colorado in any way. He also won’t be pursued by all 30 teams. Plus, he never quite lived up to his draft position but will probably demand an eighth-overall pick in his prime salary.

What Boedker can provide

Signing 32-year-old veterans does not exactly fit Vancouver’s plan. But youth is not all that matters for the Canucks either.

Boedker will turn 27 in December. Hitting unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career, he will likely be aiming at a five to seven-year contract around $6 million per year. Therefore, he could be a Canuck until he is 33.

One of Vancouver’s biggest weaknesses this season was secondary scoring. The first line around Swedish twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin still works just fine, but behind that, there isn’t much.

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Bo Horvat was the team’s best scorer in the final quarter of the season and Sven Baertschi scored a career-high 28 points. However, that is obviously not enough to get anywhere near the playoffs.

Mikkel Boedker can provide scoring in the top six, allowing Sven Baertschi and Jake Virtanen to be brought along slowly. He could bring additional speed to the second line with Baertschi and Horvat or play on the top line with the Sedins, pushing Jannik Hansen back into a bottom-six role.

Boedker spent the first six years of his professional career with the franchise that drafted him eighth overall in 2008, the Arizona Coyotes. At the 2016 trade deadline, however, the Coyotes dealt the Danish forward to the Colorado Avalanche. Boedker combined for 17 goals and 51 points with both teams this season.

In addition, Boedker will bring leadership. He is only 26 today, but signed to a multi-year deal, he would be around for a while.

The Sedins’ contracts are set to expire in 2018 and that might be the time for them to retire. If they do, Vancouver will need other veterans to lean on.

Horvat will be 23, Virtanen will be 21, Ben Hutton will be 25. Having a player of Boedker’s caliber in his best hockey age, then 28, definitely wouldn’t hurt.

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A seven-year, $42 million contract sounds like it might end up being a typical “why was Benning so stupid five years ago” deal, but it wouldn’t actually be that bad.

If Boedker continues to produce for another five or more years — and there is a big “if” here — he will be well worth the money. If not, the Vancouver Canucks will at least have a slightly overpaid leader on their roster.

Is he worth that risk?