RFA Boeser using Jets and Sharks for leverage in contract talks

According to a report from Vancouver Canucks insider Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province newspaper, restricted free agent Brock Boeser is seeking a four-year contract extension worth $7 million per season.

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Boeser’s agent Ben Hankinson reportedly believes that his client ranks with many RFA peers, in particular Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor. Both Hankinson and Canucks general manager Jim Benning are also reportedly using Timo Meier’s four year, $24 million contract extension with the San Jose Sharks as a comparable.

“Those are some of the names we’ve used,” Benning said on Monday when asked about the Meier and Connor comparisons. “They (Boeser’s camp) have been reasonable and we’re continuing to talk to get to some common ground. I’m hopeful to get something done before camp, but we’re not there yet.”

Having said that, Boeser and the Canucks aren’t ruling out the possibility of a long-term contract.

“We’re looking at all of our options and are talking what long and short deals look like,” said Benning, knowing a longer deal would buy free-agency years on Boeser.

The Canucks currently have just over $5 million in cap space to sign both Boeser and fellow RFA Nikolay Goldobin, but they could free up an additional $6 million by waiving and demoting veteran forward Loui Eriksson to the AHL’s Utica Comets.