The case for trading Brock Boeser
Boeser is coming off his bridge deal and has a qualifying offer worth 7.5 million dollars. Now, that doesn’t mean that his next contract will be an AAV of 7.5 million, that is just used to retain negotiating rights for Boeser so he doesn’t become an unrestricted free agent. The Canucks can sign Boeser under 7.5 million if they can re-sign Boeser before it gets to a qualifying offer. Boeser is also eligible for arbitration.
Rutherford has spoken about the importance of creating cap space and has hinted about trades down the line. The Canucks might be worried about Boeser’s qualifying offer and could be looking to trade him to gain some assets.
What kind of assets could they get for him?
The one thing the Canucks need is a right-handed defenceman. Boeser has been the subject of trade rumours in 2020 and was linked to Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild.
Boeser has some value and can get a good return. He could possibly fetch some young assets and a pick or two.
This time around, Seravalli linked Boeser to the Devils. New Jersey hasn’t had a good season at all. At the time of this writing, they are last in the Metropolitan Division and are fifth-last in the entire NHL. The Devils have made the playoffs once since their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 and have been struggling to turn into a contender.
The Devils don’t have a lot of right-handed defencemen in their organization. Ty Smith does come to mind but he is more suited for the left side. Damon Severson has 27 points in 48 games this season but he is 27 and Rutherford and General Manager Patrik Allvin have said they want to target young players. Plus, Severson’s contract expires in 2023.
As for prospects, the only notable right-handed defenceman worth looking at is Rielly Walsh who was drafted in the third round by the Devils in 2017. The 22-year-old has 32 points in 42 AHL games with the Utica Comets this season.
Other young players and prospects such as Luke Hughes, Cal Foote, Alexander Holtz, Fabien Zetterlund and Dawson Mercer come to mind. Would the Devils be willing to give one or two of those players up for Boeser is the question. Holtz is the most intriguing option and is someone I would ask for and so is Mercer.
As for picks, don’t expect the Devils to trade their first for Boeser.
If the Canucks want to trade Boeser to New Jersey or anywhere else, the return better be worth it.