How are the New York Rangers going to wing it next NHL season?
And how does disgruntled Vancouver Canucks unrestricted free agent Brock Boeser possibly figure into their plans?
The Rangers traded long-serving winger Chris Kreider, 34, to the Anaheim Ducks last week, hired Mike Sullivan as head coach in early May to replace the fired Peter Laviolette, and vow to get back to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
That go-for-it mantra will dictate spending to fill the void — the Rangers could also be targeted by offer sheets — but Boeser could be a top-six fit to rekindle chemistry with centre J.T. Miller. When healthy, Boeser is a 30-goal scorer, and his 12 points (7-5) in a dozen playoff games in 2024 opened a lot of eyes. Especially his gaudy 25.9 per cent shooting percentage.
“It could be a good option and good fit with J.T.,” a source told Postmedia. “The Rangers did free up some money, but have players to sign.”
New York has approximately $15 million to $18 million US in salary-cap space, depending on how it addresses its restricted free agents and improving offensively, and a key is the big RFA left winger Will Cuylle, 23.
He is projected as a second-liner after 20 goal and 45 points this season, but his leap from an entry-level deal could be as much as $3.4 million annually to align with Miller and Boeser.
The Rangers had one player in top-50 scoring who was with the club all season. Artemi Panarin finished 13th with 89 points (37-52), but they also had five who cracked the 20-goal plateau. Augmenting the right side is critical after first-liner Alexis Lafreniere, 23, who had just 17 goals this season. It thins out fast after that.
UFA Mitch Marner is too expensive and projected by AFP Analytics to command a seven-year deal at $13 million annually. Nikolaj Ehlers, who has been on the Canucks’ radar in the past, is speedy but small and injury prone. But he is expected to land a six-year contract at $8.1 million in average value.
Canucks winger Brock Boeser celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with linemate J.T. Miller on Dec. 12, 2024 at Rogers Arena.
Boeser, 28, is slotted to sign somewhere for six years at $8.46 million annually. That is one year longer and a bump from $8 million that the Canucks were offering. Factor in odd management trade-deadline optics in March of Boeser’s supposedly low return in a possible deal — instead of pumping his tires as an asset — and here we are.
Add too much past drama as the longest serving current Canuck and he needs a change of scenery and career outlook. Hard to imagine Boeser would pivot back to the Canucks if he doesn’t find a free-agency fit.
“It’s a two-way street, but both sides know it’s a long shot that he’s back,” added the source.
Amid all that, the player and the person in Boeser would be welcomed on Broadway.
He doesn’t get enough credit for improving to be put in any situation at any time in any game. He’s not a burner, but smart and better defensively. He lets the puck do the work, and in concert with Miller, he knew where to find open ice and receive precise passes.
Boeser also learned where goals are scored in today’s game and became an elite shot-tipper. And he still packs a heavy and accurate release from the slot, especially in the power-play bumper.
“You continue to see where a lot of these guys score from and it’s within five feet of the net,” Boeser told Postmedia. “I’ve tried to get my mindset to parking my rear end in front of the net and creating stuff.”
A prime example came early this season on Oct. 22 in Chicago. His third period power-play effort gave the Canucks a 5-2 cushion en route to a 6-3 triumph over the Blackhawks. Boeser got into position in the high slot to redirect a Miller feed.
“He’s just a goal scorer, he knows where to go in certain spots,” marvelled former Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. “That’s the sign of a good player. He can play 30 or 35 minutes and you don’t notice him for a while and all of a sudden he scores.
“It’s hard to find those kind of guys. For me, his practice habits have really gone up a couple of levels and they have helped him.”
It’s why Boeser had a tough adjustment after Miller was dealt to the Rangers on Jan. 31 in a multi-asset transaction. It takes a log time to develop chemistry. Boeser had a 12-game goal drought that started a week after Miller’s departure.
“It’s definitely a lot different,” Boeser admitted of missing Miller. “When you play with a guy for two years, and a guy to that degree of how good he is, how good of a passer he is, and how he creates space, it’s definitely an adjustment.
“I’m trying to understand that it’s going to be different, and I’ve got to play a little different with other guys. I think I can definitely shoot the puck more and get around the net. I’ve got to get net front and find those greasy rebounds.”
That chemistry with Miller could happen again. It’s a matter of dollars and sense for the Rangers and possibly Boeser.