Vancouver Canucks preseason: Top 5 players too risky to put on waivers
By David Joun
No. 3 Reid Boucher
Reid Boucher got off to a shaky start last year with the Canucks after being claimed off the waivers. He and Coach Willie Desjardins did not get along, mainly due to the belief that Boucher was not fit enough to play.
Boucher has admitted that he has worked on his fitness and stamina big time during the offseason. He is eager to come back to Vancouver and prove that his shot is special and is unique on a Canucks lineup that lacks pure snipers.
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Until Brock Boeser showed up, that is. Boeser does everything Boucher can do, and do it better.Both can play a somewhat physical game, both can shoot the puck, and both can work the right side of the wing. Both see skating as their biggest downfall in their respective games.
Both can play a somewhat physical game, both can shoot the puck, and both can work the right side of the wing. Both see skating as their biggest downfall in their respective games.
The Canucks did give Boucher a new deal in the summer. It is time for them to let Boucher gel into the system and see how much of the strength and conditioning work will pay off.
Boucher has the potential to be a middle-six winger who can capitalize on the powerplay with his heavy shot. Give him time, give him good linemates.
After being on waivers multiple times and being picked up multiple times by different teams, it is obvious that teams in the NHL see Boucher’s NHL upside. The Canucks will most likely lose Boucher on waivers if they send him down as the clubs last year did before Vancouver.