Ridiculous trade proposal emerges: Brock Boeser headed to Winnipeg?

PUBLICATION

Felip Gosselin
May 17, 2024 (8:13 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The off-season has already begun for the majority of the league's teams. With the off-season usually comes speculation of possible moves as we head closer to the draft and free agency.

The Winnipeg Jets will have to be watched. After another disappointing playoff stint, they'll definitely be looking to change a few things within their core, and trades might be on the horizon. Among the speculation, a trade proposal has emerged from the Jets' side suggesting that they'd acquire the Canucks' top goalscorer Brock Boeser in a one-for-one deal.

TO WINNIPEG

- Brock Boeser

TO VANCOUVER

- Nikolaj Ehlers

------------------

Who says no: Vancouver

Analyst from both teams have given their takes, and they both drew the same

Murat Ares (Winnipeg Jets Analysts):

This is a fun one from Pahul G. The contracts are close (Boeser at $6.65 million, UFA 2025 versus Ehlers at $6 million, UFA 2025) and both are productive scorers. Boeser plays 2:32 more per game than Ehlers does, including over an extra minute of power-play time, and has scored a lot more: 62 points in 62 games compared to 42 points in 58 games. I can make every argument that the Jets are leaving a ton of offence on the board by limiting Ehlers' minutes but the fact is that they limit Ehlers' minutes. If Boeser is the type of player whom they'd entrust to the Connor/Scheifele duo they seem married to, it would be a net win. It would also help the Canucks make up for their selection of Jake Virtanen three spots ahead of Winnipeg at the 2014 draft And yet another Minnesotan somehow seems very Winnipeg.

The potential trade of Boeser and Ehlers, two highly skilled forwards, hinges on several factors. Boeser has proven to be a consistent scorer with 62 points in 62 games, while Ehlers, despite being limited in ice time, has managed 42 points in 58 games. The difference in their playing styles is also a significant consideration. Boeser, a bigger player with a one-shot scoring profile, contrasts with Ehlers' speed and dynamic transitional play.

Thomas Drance (Vancouver Canucks Analyst):

The big difference between Boeser and Ehlers, really, is stylistic. Boeser is the bigger player with more of a one-shot scoring profile � somewhat more like Gabriel Vilardi � while Ehlers is the faster skater with a more dynamic transitional profile. Importantly, Boeser persistently earns top-line ice time from his coaches and has been trusted to play against tough matchups by multiple head coaches. That's in sharp contrast with Ehlers' usage across multiple coaching staffs in Winnipeg.

The way Boeser stepped his game up this season and after the playoffs, he's been scoring key goals at key times, it's hard to believe that Allvin and the Canucks' management would consider parting ways with Boeser at this point in time.

Brock will be entering the last season of his current deal, and with a 40-goal season in his pocket, he could be looking at an important pay raise. As the season extends for the Canucks, his market value his rising. Should the Canucks be looking at the possibility of extending as soon as possible on July 1st? Or should they wait it out and see how he performs in 2024-2025?