It was reported last month that the Vancouver Canucks intend to let Brock Boeser test the NHL’s UFA market when it opens on July 1.
However, the Canucks haven't fully closed the door on bringing back the 28-year-old right winger if he fails to land a suitable deal on the open market.
Patrick Johnston of The Province reported last Friday that Canucks GM Patrik Allvin recently told season-ticket holders he wasn't ruling out bringing back Boeser. However, he will have to want to return to Vancouver.
Boeser has said he enjoyed living and playing in Vancouver and wanted to stay. However, Johnston considers it doubtful now, citing his camp's unhappiness over Allvin's remarks about his value at the March NHL trade deadline.
Johnston believes Boeser doesn't want to pass up this opportunity for a big payday. He could also want to leave the turmoil of the Canucks for a more stable playoff contender. The Minnesota native could attempt to sign with the Wild or the Carolina Hurricanes, which had previously expressed interest in Boeser in the trade market.
Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club unveiled its new team name last week as the Mammoth. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli speculated they could attempt some mammoth moves in the off-season.
Seravalli considers the Mammoth moving up in this year's draft order to fourth overall as “an absolute bonus.” He pointed out they carry a lot of draft picks and a deep prospect pool to draw on for trade bait to acquire more immediate roster help.
PuckPedia indicates the Mammoth carry 11 picks in 2026 (including three second-rounders, two third-rounders and two fifth-rounders). They also have nine in the 2027 draft, including two fourth-round picks and two in the fifth round.
The Mammoth could also peddle Matias Maccelli. The 24-year-old left winger struggled with 18 points in 55 games and was a healthy scratch down the stretch. However, he's a year away from a career-best 57 points in 2023-24. Maccelli has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $3.425 million and lacks no-trade protection.
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