NHL insider confirms Brock Boeser trade speculation.

An absolute bombshell has been dropped during tonight's National Hockey League broadcasts on Hockey Night in Canada.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has just revealed his belief that Canucks star forward Brock Boeser may be seeking a trade out of Vancouver, after his representatives were granted permission to speak to other teams about the possibility of a trade.

"Brock Boeser won't play tonight in that game," said Friedman on HNIC. "The team's not commenting and his representatives aren't commenting but from what we understand Boeser's representatives have been given permission to talk to other teams about a potential move."

The 25 year old native of Burnsville Minnesota has been struggling this season in spite of his offensive output. Boeser has 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 18 regular season games with the Canucks, but has struggled defensively and currently boasts a plus minus rating of -14. That would likely mean that the Canucks would be selling low on Boeser, which is always a less than ideal scenario for an NHL team.

It sounds like there may be a rift that has developed between Boeser and the Canucks, although the reasons behind that aren't currently clear.

"I think they are coming to a realization here that it may be time to explore this," said Friedman. "I don't know where it's going to go, but I do think Boeser's representatives have permission to talk to other teams."

Boeser has gone through tremendous personal turmoil during his time as a member of the Vancouver Canucks with the failing health and eventual passing of his father, Duke Boeser, having a big impact on the young man. It could very well be that Boeser is simply looking for a fresh start somewhere else, but either way it will be extremely interesting to see how newly appointed Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin and team president Jim Rutherford handle this delicate and difficult situation.