What is Brock Boeser worth in a trade, and who’s willing to pay that for him?

March 21st and the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline march ever closer to the present day, and the rumour mills are running at full-speed already.

Here in Canuck-land, we’ve heard speculation about the futures of JT Miller, Conor Garland, Jaroslav Halak, Luke Schenn, and the Tylers Motte and Myers. But if there’s one name that has popped up more and more frequently in rumours of late — and who is sure to incite controversy whenever the topic of their potential tradability is raised — it’s Brock Boeser.

The right winger, who just turned 25 last week, is a pending RFA with a $7.5 million qualifying offer, but he should still hold immense value on the trade market, if that’s where the Canucks put him.

Even in the midst of a difficult season, Boeser’s career goals-per-game sits at an impressive 0.37, good enough for about 38^th in the league since Boeser entered it, and his career points-per-game sits at 0.80.

Unfortunately, Boeser’s age and production track record make nailing down a value for him rather difficult. The only player with a similar profile to be dealt anytime recently was Patrik Laine, who went to Columbus along with Jack Roslovic in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois.

But Patrik Allvin and the Vancouver Canucks will not be looking for a star center if they trade Boeser. They’ll be looking for exactly what they’ve been saying they’ll be looking for since taking over the team, and that’s young NHL players, prospects, and high draft picks to restock the organizational cupboards.

Another player with a similar profile to Boeser who was traded semi-recently is Matt Duchene, traded from Colorado to Ottawa in 2017 and then from Ottawa to Columbus at the Trade Deadline in 2019.

The first time around, Duchene returned all of Sam Girard, Andrew Hammond, Shane Bowers, Vladislav Kamenev, a first, a second, and a third. The second time, Duchene returned Vitaly Abramov, Jonathan Davidsson, and two conditional first round picks, one of which was not cashed.

As a center, Duchene might have had a bit more value then than Boeser does now, but it’s a ballpark we can work with. It stands to reason that Boeser should return two or three assets, with those assets being some blend of NHLers yet-to-breakout, A- or B-level prospects, or first round picks.

But who can and would give up such a return in exchange for Boeser? That’s exactly what we’re here to talk about.

 

If the Bruins have a weakness to be found, it’s on their right wing. If they flip Jake DeBrusk and a few others by the offseason, they’d have room for Boeser on their roster and on their cap, and could presumably keep him around for some time.

Young NHLers: Jake DeBrusk.

Unless the Bruins are willing to move Brandon Carlo, there’s nothing to see here. DeBrusk won’t cut it.

Key Prospects: Fabian Lysell, Jack Studnicka, Mason Lohrei

The Canucks have had their eye on the Vancouver Giants’ Lysell for some time. He might be the only player of real interest in the Boston organization.

Draft Picks: The Bruins retain all their draft picks of note for the next several years.

What’s a reasonable offer?: Lysell, a 2022 first round pick, and a mid-round pick

The Avalanche are, and should be, all-in on the 2021/22 season. Their preference is reportedly to add another center to the mix, but if they can’t find one, sliding Boeser onto their right wing and sliding Alex Newhook down the depth chart may be enticing.

Young NHLers: None that they’ll move.

Alex Newhook isn’t going anywhere, nor is Bowen Byram.

Key Prospects: Justin Barron, Sampo Ranta, Martin Kaut, Drew Helleson

The big, two-way RHD Barron is obviously the key draw here, but Helleson is a skilled RHD in his own right, and then there are a number of talented forwards to consider.

Draft Picks: The Avalanche have already traded away their first and second round picks in 2022, but have all their major selections in future drafts.

What’s a reasonable offer?: Justin Barron, Drew Helleson, and a 2023 conditional first round pick

 

The Red Wings are not a contender quite yet, but Boeser isn’t a rental, so that doesn’t matter. Right now, they’ve got Lucas Raymond on the right wing and not much else. Boeser could help them step into the playoffs as early as next season.

Young NHLers: Joe Veleno, Filip Hronek, Gustav Lindstrom

RHDs Hronek and Lindstrom are intriguing, but don’t have a high enough profile to impact the Vancouver blueline all that much.

Key Prospects: Jonatan Berggren, Shai Buium, Antti Tuomisto

The Red Wings have a couple of blue-chip prospects that they will not move, and the rest aren’t too terribly exciting.

Draft Picks: The Red Wings have all their own picks, as well as Washington’s second rounder in 2022.

What’s a reasonable offer?: A 2022 first round pick (probably high) and Filip Hronek or Gustav Lindstrom

The Kings are eating up the Pacific Division of late, and will be challenging for the playoffs from now into the foreseeable future. Adrian Kempe, Viktor Arvidsson, and Dustin Brown looks like a fine, if not spectacular, right side. Boeser undoubtedly improves it, and would give Quinton Byfield someone to work with.

Young NHLers: Sean Durzi, Arthur Kaliyev

Most of the LA talent is in the minor leagues still, but RHD Durzi and Kaliyev represent tantalizing options for the here and now.

Key Prospects: Brock Faber, Helge Grans, Gabriel Vilardi, Rasmus Kupari, Samuel Fagemo

It’s no secret that the Kings have the best prospect pool in all of hockey. Whether it be RHDs like Faber or Grans, or big forwards like Vilardi and Kupari, they’ve got what it takes to table a compelling offer.

Draft Picks: The Kings have all their first and second rounders available for the foreseeable future.

What’s a reasonable offer?: Brock Faber and a 2022 first round pick

 

Roster-wise, the Wild aren’t a great fit for Boeser. But Minnesota is his home state, and Kevin Fiala is reportedly moving on soon, so maybe a spot will open up.

Young NHLers: Kevin Fiala, Calen Addison

Fiala would be a fine Boeser replacement, but doesn’t help the cap situation much. Addison is a “meh” RHD option.

Key Prospects: Carson Lambos, Filip Johansson, Vladislav Firstov, Marat Khusnutdinov

The Wild’s top prospects aren’t terribly exciting either. Lambos has top-four potential and Johansson is an RHD, but neither move the needle much for Boeser.

Draft Picks: The Wild hold all their own draft picks of note for the next several years.

What’s a reasonable offer?: Carson Lambos, Filip Johansson, and a 2022 first

The Predators will probably stay contending for a while now that Juuse Saros has taken over the net, and they’re still short a dynamic scorer or two — and that’s especially true if they trade away Filip Forsberg. Boeser gives them help where they need it most.

Young NHLers: Tanner Jeannot, Dante Fabbro

The Predators would be loath to give up either Jeannot or Fabbro, but they do have the roster depth to make it at least feasible.

Key Prospects: Zachary L’Heureux, Cody Glass, David Farrance, Luke Prokop, Fedor Svechkov

The Predators are swimming in prospects, including star forward L’Heureux, star defender Farrance, and B-tier RHD Prokop.

Draft Picks: Nashville holds all their important draft picks for the next several years.

What’s a reasonable offer?: Dante Fabbro and Luke Prokop

 

The Devils have been specifically linked to Boeser, and it’s easy to see why. They’re hoping to start looking like a postseason candidate as early as next season, but their roster is full of holes, especially on the wing. Boeser could go from playing with Quinn Hughes to riding shotgun with Jack.

Young NHLers: Pavel Zacha, Janne Kuokkanen, Jesper Boqvist, Ty Smith

The Devils have a bevy of young NHLers on offer, and Zacha has been linked to the Canucks several times this year. But there’s nothing here to write home about.

Key Prospects: Luke Hughes, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Kevin Bahl, Nolan Foote

We’ve already heard pretty firmly that Hughes is off the table, but we’re listing him here anyway to troll Devils fans. The other players listed are solid, but not A-listers quite yet.

Draft Picks: The Devils have all their draft picks in hand for the next good while.

What’s a reasonable offer?: Shakir Mukhamadullin, Pavel Zacha, and a 2023 first round pick

 

The Senators are a young team on the rise. Their left wing and center slots are loaded up for the future, but their right wing is noticeably absent of much goal-scoring ability. If owner Eugene Melnyk is willing to pay up for a new Boeser contract, the fit is there.

Young NHLers: Alex Formenton, Erik Brannstrom

Either player could help the Canucks right now, especially Brannstrom, who can play both sides of the ice.

Key Prospects: Tyler Boucher, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Lassi Thompson, Ben Roger

JBD would be a perfect fit for the right side of the Canucks’ blueline, but will be tough to pry loose. Thompson is an RHD, too, but far less valuable.

Draft Picks: The Senators have all their own draft picks of note and then some, including two second rounds in 2022 and three third rounders (including the Canucks’.)

What’s a reasonable offer?: Jacob Bernard-Docker and both 2022 second round picks

Allvin and Jim Rutherford’s old squad is trying to squeeze a few more Cup runs out of the Crosby/Malkin/Letang core, and they could use a scoring upgrade to help make that more likely. Boeser could arrive and knock both Bryan Rust and Kasperi Kapanen down the lineup, strengthening the entire forward corps.

Young NHLers: Kasperi Kapanen, John Marino

Kapanen has been acquired by a Rutherford team twice, so the history is there. Marino is a top-four RHD that can make an impact immediately.

Key Prospects: Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Samuel Poulin, Tristan Broz

Years of chasing the Cup has left the Penguins’ prospect cupboard mostly bare.

Draft Picks: The Penguins hold all their significant draft picks, though their 2022 second rounder may be lost in a conditional trade soon.

What’s a reasonable offer?: John Marino, a 2022 first round pick, and Tristan Broz

The Capitals have reportedly been after another high-scoring forward all season long. The notion of having to face Alex Ovechkin and Boeser on consecutive shifts sounds like a nightmare for opponents, and such a combination is definitely possible.

Young NHLers: None.

Nothing to see here, as Connor McMichael ain’t going anywhere.

Key Prospects: Hendrix Lapierre, Aliaksei Protas, Vincent Iorio

The feisty Lapierre, the gigantic Protas, or the RHD Iorio are all worth a look by the Canucks.

Draft Picks: The Capitals have their first round pick in 2022, and hold the Winnipeg Jets’ second rounder, but not their own. They hold all significant draft picks beyond that.

What’s a reasonable offer?: Hendrix Lapierre, Vincent Iorio, and the Winnipeg 2022 second round pick.