Potentially playing his final game for the Canucks Wednesday night, did Boeser really bring a jersey signed by teammates home from the rink?
“Yeah,” he confirmed Wednesday morning, “for my girlfriend’s mom.”
Although Boeser told us last week “it’s unlikely at this point” that he will remain in Vancouver beyond this season, there remains the chance of a breakthrough in contract negotiations before the longest-tenured Canuck hits National Hockey League free agency on July 1.
As the 28-year-old Minnesotan prepares to play Game 554 for the Canucks, the right winger is holding tight the possibility that Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights won’t be his final one in Vancouver.
“I mean, it’s tough to say,” Boeser told reporters after the Canucks’ morning skate. “We’ll see what happens. Like I said, I’m sure they’ll talk with my agent after the season and see if anything can come to an agreement or not. But yeah, I mean, there’s definitely going to be (reflective) thoughts, and I’m going to just try and take it in with my teammates. You really never know at the end of the day, so I don’t really want to fully think that it could be my last game.”
Apart from his contribution of 204 goals and 434 points in 533 games for the Canucks, his only NHL team since Vancouver drafted him 23rd overall in 2015, Boeser’s connection to fans was strengthened over the years by his openness in discussing personal challenges, like the death of his father three years ago.
It is likely to be an emotional Wednesday for Boeser.
“I’m sure it’ll be emotional for him,” senior defenceman Tyler Myers, Boeser’s teammate the last six seasons, told reporters. “He’s been such a big part of the city. And when I say this, you know, this isn’t me saying the door is closed, either. It might not be his last game.
“You know, I had the same unknown last year at the end of the year — whether it was going to be my last game or not. But even knowing that it might not be, I was still pretty emotional when we lost (in the playoffs), thinking it could be my last time wearing the jersey. So, yeah, no doubt, I’m sure he’s thinking about it. We’ll see what happens.”
Myers, 34, eventually signed a three-year extension on the eve of free agency last summer to stay with the Canucks.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Boeser turned down a five-year offer from the Canucks and there appears to be little traction in negotiations. Boeser was shopped at the trade deadline last month, but general manager Patrik Allvin said that other teams showed little interest in him.
Still, the Canucks need more scoring not less, and even if Boeser slipped this season to 25 goals and 50 points from last year’s career-highs of 40 and 73, he has proven himself to be a solid, top-six contributor during his eight years in Vancouver.
“I’m going to really just try and focus on having a good game with my teammates tonight and finish strong,” Boeser said. “You know, we don’t want to go out there and not play a good game and lose the game. We want to finish strong. And then I’ll start thinking about everything after the year.”
After 45 years as an equipment manager in the NHL, the last 37 with the Canucks, Pat O’Neill will have his final game behind the Vancouver bench tonight.
The ageless trainer – O’Neill is 65 but hasn’t changed in at least 15 seasons – is stepping away from his full-time duties in charge of equipping and assisting Canuck players.
“I’ve been very fortunate,” O’Neill said, “because this is the most fun anyone could have doing a job that’s very demanding and fruitful.”
“I’m thinking of all the good thoughts of things that have happened to me over the years and people I’ve met. There’s been a lot of that, and it will probably go on a lot longer, too.”
After starting with the old Winnipeg Jets in 1980, before former Canucks GM Pat Quinn hired him in 1988, O’Neill is one of the godfathers of his industry, the guy who made sewing machines – to alter jerseys and mend equipment – a staple for NHL trainers.
Canuck centre Filip Chytil skated with teammates in a full-contact jersey for the first time since suffering a concussion on March 15 when hit into the boards from behind by Chicago Blackhawk Jason Dickinson. Chytil won’t play against the Golden Knights but his progress is encouraging.
“He had a smile on his face,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said. “He had the concussion, but I don’t think it’s as bad as it was last year. He thought he may have had a little bit of a virus that affected that. But he’s excited. Three weeks ago, I think it was doom and gloom. But just talking to him today… he’s very upbeat.”
Chytil was a key piece in the return from January’s blockbuster trade of J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers, and his injury, which was followed a week later by the loss of top centre Elias Pettersson, was one of the final dominoes that led to the Canucks missing the playoffs this season after winning the Pacific Division a year ago.
Given his grave history of concussions in New York, Chytil’s health could be a paramount factor in the Canucks’ ability to bounce back next season.
