Canucks’ Brock Boeser on blood thinners due to blood clot in leg

Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser has been placed on blood thinners and is not expected to return this season due to a blood clot that has developed in his leg, Daily Faceoff‘s Frank Seravalli reported Monday morning.

Boeser played in Game 6 against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday before the issue was discovered by team doctors. The 27-year-old forward collected seven goals and 12 points in 12 playoff games before being sidelined for the rest of the postseason.

“Sounds like Canucks Brock Boeser’s blood clot developed in his leg, something team medical staff found after Game 6,” Seravalli tweeted Monday. “He has been placed on blood thinning medication and is not expected to be available to play again this season. Brutal break for Canucks’ leading goal scorer.”

News of Boeser developing a blood clot issue first broke on Sunday, the Canucks’ off day between games. Although it was initially unclear whether Boeser’s availability beyond Game 6 would be impacted, it now seems he’s done for the year — although, fortunately, his condition does not appear to be career or life-threatening.

Boeser enjoyed a career year with the Canucks during the 2023-24 regular season, racking up 40 goals and 73 points in 81 games to go along with a +23 rating. He also averaged 18:39 of ice time per game.

The Canucks originally selected Boeser in the first round (No. 23 overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft. The Burnsville, Minnesota product made his NHL debut with the Canucks in the 2016-17 season, racking up four goals and five points in his first nine games.

Through 479 career games over parts of eight seasons with the Canucks, Boeser has racked up 179 goals and 384 points. He’s added 11 goals and 23 points in 29 career playoff contests.

Boeser has one more year remaining on his existing contract, which carries a $6.65 million average annual value. He’ll be able to test unrestricted free agency upon the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, which will be his ninth with the Canucks.

Without Boeser and goaltender Thatcher Demko, the Canucks are slated to return to action for Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the Oilers at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Monday at 6:00 p.m. PT.