The Red Wings could target Vancouver's Brock Boeser as a cost-effective top-six upgrade amid a crowded free agency market.
The Red Wings head into the offseason looking to upgrade several areas of their lineup, with a top-six forward high on their list as a deep pool of talent is available in this year’s free agent market.
Luckily for Detroit, another big name looks like they will be joining the picture as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman spoke to the current relationship with the Vancouver Canucks and unrestricted free agent Brock Boeser, saying that it doesn't seem likely the Minnesota native is staying.
"Some people tweeted at me saying is there any chance Brock Boeser goes back to Vancouver," he said on his podcast 32 Thoughts "I don't believe so I think there will be different options there for him."
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The 28-year-old winger has been a mainstay in the Canucks lineup since being selected 23rd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. He hit a career high with 73 points just a season ago but saw his production dip to 50 points this past year, a mark more in line with his career average largely due to recurring injuries. In his first four NHL seasons, Boeser averaged 0.84 points per game, a pace that, had it continued uninterrupted, could have seen him consistently producing closer to his 73-point peak.
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Health risk is a major factor in the signing but if Detroit is hungry enough to add to the player, they could make it work and put him in a position to succeed. Boeser would get the chances to receive passes from a Hall-of-fame player in Patrick Kane or could even see top-line minutes with the dynamic duo of Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.
He would also likely insert right into the Red Wings top power play unit after playing the second-most minutes on the man advantage for the Canucks last season, behind captain Quinn Hughes. His 20 power play points last season suggest he could make an immediate impact on Detroit's special teams. If given the chance to play in the postseason, he's shown he can deliver under pressure, with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 29 career playoff games.
Boeser seemingly appears like a dynamite add for the Red Wings if possible and begs the question of if that's where they should start to deploy their resources rather than other attempts at bigger fish like Toronto's Mitch Marner.
The bidding war for the top-end Maple Leafs winger will likely take up a lot of time and effort from teams like the Red Wings and it may not even be worth it considering he is looking to join to a top-end contender, is asking for a lot of money and seemingly desires a team where he will be out of the Atlantic division.
We recently discussed how Detroit could make a strong case as a potential destination for Marner, but the signs suggest GM Steve Yzerman might instead turn his attention to a player like Boeser. He would come at a significantly lower cost while still providing a major impact across multiple areas of the lineup. With several teams likely to be chasing Marner, Boeser could be a more appealing and attainable option for the Red Wings.
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