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‘We make so many mistakes and they turn into a goal and it’s every single game. That’s where some of the immaturity is in our team’ — Canucks winger Brock Boeser
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Published Apr 07, 2026 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 4 minute read
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Brock Boeser and Michael Amadio of the Ottawa Senators battle during Jan. 13 game at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ont. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis /Getty ImagesArticle content
Brock Boeser listened to the math Monday and it added up to a notable place in franchise history.
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But the long-serving Vancouver Canucks winger wasn’t putting much stock in equalling Pavel Bure in franchise points production at 478. It ranks eighth best, and the “Russian Rocket” accomplished the feat in 428 games, while it took Boeser 623.
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Regardless, Boeser was more consumed by his minus-3 outing Saturday in a 7-4 loss to the Utah Mammoth than scoring four goals in the last four games and piling up 15 points (6-9) in the previous 12 outings. And that is the true measure of complete players who balance offence with defensive diligence.
It’s the great separator in today’s game where highlight-reel goals rule, because the camera seldom focuses on the guy busting his butt on the backcheck. If you can do both, that’s great.
Boeser was also a minus-3 in a 5-2 loss at Minnesota on Thursday, but leads the Canucks with 21 goals.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s working great because I’m on the ice for a lot of goals against right now on our line,” Boeser stressed following practice Monday in preparation to face the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. “I’m not going to lie. It’s frustrating, but we’re finding ways to produce even when we’re not playing great hockey.”
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Missteps are a culmination of self-inflicted wounds and a collective struggle to retain confidence and composure, especially when scored upon and quickly surrendering another goal. Bad defending and poor zone exits are the egregious errors and have led to giving up the most goals and plummeting to last place overall.
“When you’re minus-43 on the year (league worst), it obviously hurts, and I take pride in it,” Boeser added of his personal plight. “It’s why I get so frustrated. I want guys to really focus on what the coaches are preaching, our plan going into games, and executing.
“We make so many mistakes and they turn into a goal, and it’s every single game. That’s where some of the immaturity is in our team. But it’s part of the process and part of getting better.”
When Quinn Hughes was dealt to the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 12 in a blockbuster trade, it shook the foundation and created a void. The Canucks were suddenly without their get-out-of-jail-free card for quick zone exits, laser-like passes, and creativity in the offensive zone.
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It’s hard to replace a generational talent, and the ripple effect showed as production and losses piled up.
Boeser went 15 games without scoring, and when the trade dominoes kept falling to force the Canucks into a roster rebuild, it took a toll.
“There was just a lot going on,” recalled Boeser. “I had some stuff going on mentally, and then you trade Quinn and if definitely shifts our whole team. Obviously, the way he drove play was crazy and he’s one of my best friends. That hits you.
“The transition was tough and different with a lot of new faces, and we get to the (trade) deadline and trade more guys. Obviously, the direction was going rebuild and you can’t be a problem. You’ve got to help as much as you can. I re-signed here and it’s not like I’m just going to quit on the team or the boys.
“I show up every day and try to be a good leader. It doesn’t really change my mindset.”
Winger Brock Boeser is congratulated after scoring his third goal against the Colorado Avalanche on April 1 in Denver. Photo by AP Photo/David Zalubowski /AP
Here are three things to watch Tuesday:
1. There’s more power in their play
In a special-teams league, there’s something special brewing on the power play.
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The Canucks have connected with the man advantage in eight of their last 10 games. They are 11-for-27 in that span for a gaudy 37 per cent success rate, for a club averaging 20.7 per cent efficiency and 18th overall.
So, what is it? Better deployments with Marco Rossi added to the first unit? Better puck movement and decisions? Better chemistry between Boeser and Jake DeBrusk, who have combined for 22 goals? DeBrusk has 16 power-play strikes to sit fourth overall.
“The main thing is (Filip) Hronek getting more comfortable, and Boeser and DeBrusk are playing off each other in the right spots,” said Canucks head coach Adam Foote. “Down low, they’re a good tandem working well together for rebounds, and Marco is pretty patient on the half-wall and doesn’t throw pucks away.”
2. UFA Blueger looking like keeper
When Evander Kane was given gifts Saturday to mark his 1,000th NHL game, Teddy Blueger was part of the on-ice presentation group. It was significant. The versatile unrestricted free-agent centre leads by example and has become a culture carrier.
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Blueger missed 43 games with a lower-body injury suffered on Oct. 19, but shook off the rust with four goals in six games and propped up the league’s worst penalty kill that is gaining traction.
He has three shorthanded goals this season, two goals and four points in his last three games, and drives his line with Max Sasson and Linus Karlsson. Foote cautioned before the March 6 trade deadline that the Canucks should be wary of Blueger’s value.
3. Second-period sags sorry story
It happened again Saturday.
The Canucks scored early in the second period to pull into a 2-2 draw with the Utah Mammoth, and then gave up two goals in a four-minute span to lose momentum and lose their way. They have surrendered a league-high 111 goals in the second stanza this sorry season and are tied for the fewest goals (63).
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