Brock Boeser Would Head To East Coast in Proposed Trade

While all the chatter around the Vancouver Canucks these days is discussing the 'rift' between stars Elias Pettersson and JT Miller, there's another big-scoring forward whose future is up in the air as well in B.C., in pending UFA Brock Boeser.

The 27-year-old is coming off his first 40-goal season last year and is on an expiring contract. His demands on an extension are said to be in the $8 million AAV range. To this point, the Canucks don't appear ready to go there. At 11 goals through 27 games, Boeser is a fair bit behind his '23-'24 pace.

If no extension appears in sight as we get closer to the trade deadline, it's quite possible we see president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin decide to move Boeser and get a return for him before he can bolt in free agency.

With that, ESPN's Rachel Doerrie has proposed two eye-popping one-for-one trades that could work:

Boeser to NY Rangers for defenseman K'Andre Miller
Boeser to Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Bowen Byram

Let's look at the Miller option first. The Rangers are certainly looking like a team ready to make some more radical changes to break out of their dreadful 4-13-0 spiral. Miller has the size (6'5") on the back line to make Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet drool. The 25-year-old pending RFA is a puck-mover, kills penalties, blocks shots, and is just what Tocchet desires in a D-man. He's been a bit off this season in New York, which has led to speculation about this future.

As for the Rangers, it would be the latest move to really shake things up. Another goal-scoring right-winger like Boeser would be a fit on Broadway.

The Byram proposal is another interesting one. The Buffalo Sabres are also a team in turmoil, and looking for a big offensive boost. Aside from their stunning 7-1 victory over the NY Islanders Monday night, the Sabres had managed just 2.0 goals a game over their previous six contests.

Per Doerrie, the Canucks have had interest in Byram for some time now, and he's improved his stock this season with some strong play, upping his average ice time to 23:20 per night—an increase of three full minutes a game from last year.

A top-four D-man with some team control, and either of Miller or Byram would qualify, is exactly what the Canucks are looking for. Could they use Boeser to acquire it in a splashy trade like one of these?