Vancouver Canucks: What happens if Brock Boeser doesn’t sign?

The Vancouver Canucks and Brock Boeser don’t appear close on contract talks. What happens if he’s not here to start the season?

It’s safe to say that both Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning and forward Brock Boeser weren’t planning to reach mid-September without a new deal in place.

The Oct. 2 season opener against the Edmonton Oilers is only two weeks away now, and yet Boeser and the Canucks don’t seem close on reaching a new deal, according to Rick Dhaliwal of Sportsnet 650.

Now, there’s still time for the two sides to reach an agreement. But the Canucks need to be prepared for the worst. What happens if the 22-year-old sniper isn’t here for the start of the season? Benning and head coach Travis Green better have a plan in place.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and RFA William Nylander didn’t reach a new deal until the last minute, and that turned out to be a major mistake for both teams. Nylander, coming off consecutive 61-point seasons, had a mere seven goals and 27 points in 54 games. Good thing the Maple Leafs had enough forward depth to reach the postseason, though.

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It’s a different story for the Canucks. Boeser’s presence is key if they want to return to the playoffs. And boy, would it be a disaster if the Canucks had to wait until November or December to close out a deal with him. Rust would be inevitable.

But if it gets to that point, Green and the Canucks will have to be ready without Boeser. Fortunately, the forward depth was boasted with the additions of J.T. Miller and Micheal Ferland, so the Canucks can at least somewhat offset Boeser’s absence.

Boeser and Elias Pettersson form two-thirds of the top line. But if Boeser’s gone, who should skate alongside the reigning Calder Trophy winner? Miller would probably be one of Pettersson’s linemates, for starters.

That probably means putting Ferland on the top line as well. After forming strong chemistry with Bo Horvat late last season, Tanner Pearson should probably stay on the second line. Green would then likely move either Josh Leivo (10 goals in 49 games for the Canucks last season) or Jake Virtanen up to line two with Horvat and Pearson.

The other option would be to place one of Ferland or Miller on Horvat’s line, then place Virtanen on Pettersson’s line to see if he can form some magic there.

As you can see, Green does have plenty of options to work with here. But this is a moot point of Boeser ends up signing before Oct. 2. But it’s pivotal that the Canucks prepare themselves for starting the season without their young All-Star sniper.

And fortunately, the Canucks are better suited now to deal with the possible absence of a star player — thanks to the additions of Ferland and Miller.