The Vancouver Canucks’ 2024-25 campaign was underwhelming. The Canucks witnessed a disappointing drop to fifth place after reaching the zenith of the Pacific Division in the 2023-24 season. The team was plagued by injury woes of standout players like Thatcher Demko, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Quinn Hughes. There was also locker room beef between Pettersson and J.T. Miller that ultimately reached a fever pitch, and Miller was traded to the New York Rangers.
As the face of the franchise, Hughes has expressed his frustration about the team’s disappointing run last season; however, with Boeser’s unexpected re-upping, Hughes and the Canucks have every reason to look forward to the next season.
How Does Quinn Hughes Feel About Brock Boeser’s Prolonged Stay in Vancouver?
The 28-year-old winger has spent nine seasons with the Canucks after being drafted 23rd overall by the team in 2015. Boeser has 434 points in 554 regular-season games with the Canucks. In the 2023-24 playoffs, the winger accumulated 12 points in 12 games. The 28-year-old is undoubtedly a crucial element of the team, hence it was a source of great concern when Boeser stated that he did not expect to return.
In an April story with Sportsnet, the winger confessed that returning to play with the Canucks was “unlikely.” Honestly, it’s unlikely at this point.” “It [stinks]. It’s unfortunate. I’m just trying to play good hockey and then I’ll worry about everything after that. We all know it’s been a roller coaster of a year. There’s been a lot of different things.”
The last season was far from what the Canucks had expected it to be. Boeser had to deal with an upper-body injury on top of what was a broadly unsuccessful conquest of the Canucks. Having second thoughts about continuing in Vancouver after such a disappointing run makes sense. However, Boeser ultimately decided against parting ways with the team; he signed a seven-year, $50.75 million contract with the Canucks.
Hughes was pleasantly surprised by Boeser’s decision. However, as the defenseman stated in a recent Sportsnet interview with Luke Fox, the winger has always wanted to play in Vancouver. Moreover, Boeser has several reasons to continue playing with the Canucks. “He loves Vancouver. His girlfriend’s from Vancouver. He’s got two dogs. He takes him hiking all the time. Just loves the lifestyle and he loves the fan base. Loves everything about it. Wants to be a leader on the team for years to come. I think that we both thought he was gone,” shared Hughes.
Apart from Boeser, the Canucks have also re-signed netminder Thatcher Demko and forward Conor Garland to three and six-year-long contracts, respectively. The Canucks have expressed their faith in the roster, and now it remains to be seen if the lineup can salvage the Canucks’ reputation in the upcoming season.