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Vancouver Canucks: Brock Boeser Could Make Debut Tonight vs. Wild

By Janik Beichler

Apr 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Brock Boeser (16) celebrates after they score an empty net goal against the Denver Pioneers during the third period at the semifinals of the 2016 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. North Dakota Fighting Hawks defeated the Denver Pioneers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Brock Boeser (16) celebrates after they score an empty net goal against the Denver Pioneers during the third period at the semifinals of the 2016 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. North Dakota Fighting Hawks defeated the Denver Pioneers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vancouver Canucks top prospect Brock Boeser is expected to sign his entry-level deal soon, and he could play for the team as early as tonight.

Brock Boeser wanted to defend his NCAA championship title with the University of North Dakota. A 4-3 double-overtime loss against Boston University, however, put an end to the Vancouver Canucks prospect’s hopes.

Which mean’s he’s ready to sign in Vancouver.

According to a source from Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, Boeser will sign with the Canucks soon. How soon, you ask? Soon enough to be in the lineup for tonight’s match-up against the Minnesota Wild.

The Canucks have nine games remaining, so there is still plenty of time to get Boeser into game action. But this game would be a little more special than a match-up against, well, just about any other team.

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Boeser was born in Burnsville, MN and began his competitive hockey career at Burnsville High. Naturally, he grew up a Wild fan.

There is no doubt that Boeser has become a Canucks fan now, but it’s always special to play against the team you grew up cheering for — especially in their barn. And making that your NHL debut, there’s probably nothing better for a rookie.

The Lineup

Still, one important question remains: where will he slot in, no matter when he joins the lineup?

The answer is luckily as obvious as the question. In his debut, Boeser will be on the left wing of Drew Shore, with Alex Biega on the other side. He will get 1:32 of ice time through the first two periods before sitting out the third.

All jokes aside, it’s difficult to predict where Boeser could slot in, mostly thanks to head coach Willie Desjardins’ curious decisions.

Most fans are hoping for a top-six line with Boeser, Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi next season. But with Reid Boucher playing good hockey on that second line, there may be no room for Boeser (yet).

Another option to have Boeser on a scoring line is the right wing of Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. That might work, but Desjardins is not exactly famous for throwing rookies on the top line. It takes the quality of a Jayson Megna or Michael Chaput to get there.

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Perhaps the best fit would be the third line, with Nikolay Goldobin on the left wing and Brandon Sutter at centre. Two young scoring wingers with a veteran down the middle — it could work.

Desjardins was asked to give the kids more ice time, and Boeser and Goldobin are perhaps the only two players that really match the description. So, here’s to hoping they actually play more than 10 minutes per night.

Update:

It’s official! Boeser with Baertschi and Horvat, Boucher back down to the fourth line.

BOESER HYPE!

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