The Canuck Way
Fansided

Canucks: 3 questions facing Brock Boeser in 2021

By Brayden Ursel

DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 27: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks looks for an opening against J.T. Compher #37 of the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on February 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 27: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks looks for an opening against J.T. Compher #37 of the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on February 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Despite a career-low in goals last year, Vancouver Canucks’ winger Brock Boeser found new ways to contribute. Here are three big questions facing him in 2021.

As the NHL tries to finalize how they’ll be rolling out the 2021 season, Vancouver Canucks‘ winger Brock Boeser patiently waits to remind fans that he’s a critical cog in the Canucks’ system and an elite NHL sniper.

The Minnesota native is just three years removed from his sensational rookie season that stole the hearts of many. His first trip around the sun as an NHL player was impressive. He was an All-Star Game MVP who put up an astonishing 29 goals at nearly a half a goal per game pace en route to being a Calder Trophy runner-up.

The hot start to his career made him an instant fan-favourite, but with the arrival of franchise pieces in both Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, remaining the team’s star player under the spotlight has been challenging.

With back-to-back seasons each featuring drop-offs in the goal-scoring department, Boeser has fallen out of order. Here are three questions facing “The Flow” as he tries to re-establish himself as a top scoring talent on the Canucks.

Can Boeser lead the Canucks in goals?

When Boeser entered the National Hockey League he looked primed to be the Canucks’ next great sniper. Effortlessly putting the puck past one goaltender after another, Boeser’s wrist shot had Canucks fans excited for the future.

However, ever since that memorable rookie season ended early, Boeser’s shot hasn’t been the same and he hasn’t been able to find the consistency required of a true shooter. But to be fair, he’s been thrown in front of challenging obstacles both on and off the ice.

Whether it be a nagging injury or the health of a family member, Boeser hasn’t exactly had the proper time to truly dial himself in. And the result? Boeser’s goal total slipped to just 16 in 2019-20 and he found himself outside the top five in Canucks scoring.

Looking back at the success of the Lotto Line last year and how big of a piece Boeser was in all of that, it’s hard to believe his shooting percentage was so low (9.5%) compared to the numbers he put up in 2017 (16.2%).

But even though Boeser had a down year in 2019-20 when it came to finishing, he still produced points at a career-high rate (0.789). With that in mind, plus the fact that he faced injuries that sidelined him for 12 games, it’s not hard to believe Boeser’s shot should bounce back in 2021.

With Tyler Toffoli no longer in the fold, the Canucks will be relying on Boeser that much more to find his shot once again. But with an extended offseason off the coattails of a solid first NHL Playoffs experience, Boeser should be able to do just that.

Home/Editorials