Insider Names Brock Boeser as Potential Trade Candidate

With the NHL's March 7 trade deadline less than three months away, teams are increasing efforts to pour over depth charts, number-crunch, and judge ramifications concerning the salary cap.

No stone is being left unturned in the general managers' pursuit of Stanley Cup success. One of the names getting lots of traction this season is Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser, as per NHL insider Nick Kypreos.

The player is coming off a career-high, 40-goal season where he established himself as a quintessential attacking asset. But a bunch of questions surround his future with the Canucks.

With the core pieces in Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Quinn Hughes signed, Vancouver has an incredibly tough decision when it comes to Boeser's next contract.

It's reported the 26-year-old is seeking an eight-year deal with an AAV of better than $8 million. And no question, he's worth it, production-wise. The Canucks just seem very uninterested in committing that kind of term and dollar amount to him.

The market for scoring wingers did take a bit of a reset with Jake Guentzel's contract, and the landscape of negotiations has changed.

If an extension can't be reached, the Canucks risk losing Brock Boeser to free agency for nothing, an outcome the front office isn't likely to consider.

The Vancouver Canucks have been rather active on the trade market of late, and as the deadline draws near, Boeser could become a very attractive trade candidate.

Boeser would bring instant offense to contending teams adding him. With few players in the world with the potential to finish off a play and be clutch, his value has increased significantly.

The question becomes whether Vancouver gambles with a late extension or moves him to maximize value ahead of March 7.

As the season chugs along and the playoff picture begins to get a little clearer, the Boeser situation is going to be one of the more fascinating storylines to pay attention to.

For now, it's a matter of watching Vancouver work through a pivotal decision in their quest to stay competitive.