Report: NHL insider Pierre LeBrun provides major update in Boeser contract negotiations

With NHL training camps opening this past weekend and with preseason games starting this week, the heat is being dialled up on any unsigned restricted free agents (RFA). Mitch Marner, Charlie McAvoy, Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov all inked deals in the past week and now the spotlight is firmly on players like Patrik Laine, Mikko Rantanen, Matthew Tkachuk and Brock Boeser.

Luckily for Vancouver Canucks fans it appears that some progress is being made between GM Jim Benning and Boeser. At least, according to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun.

Check it out:

Well… it may not be the news that Canucks fans are hoping for, but at least it’s progress.

UPDATE: Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal is now reporting that Boeser and the Canucks are close on a "bridge" contract, ie: a short term deal.

Check it out:

Stay tuned, Canucks fans.

As for Laine, the unsigned Winnipeg Jets star is taking his game to Switzerland while his agent and the Jets continue contract negotiations.

This news courtesy of Finnish hockey insider Sami Hoffren:

Hoffren goes on to  clarify that there’s currently no plan in place for Laine to play for Bern, just to train with the team for the time being.

The 21-year-old Laine is one of a handful of star RFAs in the NHL still waiting on a new contract. Mikko Rantanen, Brayden Point, Matthew Tkachuk, Brock Boeser and Jets teammate Kyle Connor are also all without a contract for the upcoming season.