NHL Rumor Mill – April 7, 2025
Could this season be the latest for Brock Boeser with the Canucks and Nikolaj Ehlers with the Jets? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the next 10 days could be the last for winger Brock Boeser with the Vancouver Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).
Boeser, 28, is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. The Canucks are poised to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Boeser amid a season of turmoil for the Canucks. He said he’s trying not to think about the possibility of moving on after this season. Boeser admitted the trade rumors swirling around him before last month’s trade deadline affected his play.
Boeser doesn’t know what the future holds, but he knows his improved performance down the stretch will stand him in good stead.
SPORTSNET: Jacob Stoller noted that the Winnipeg Jets’ 4-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday could be a preview of life without winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who is day-to-day with an injury.
Ehlers, 29, plays a key role on the Jets’ second line, tallying 60-plus points four times. He’s UFA-eligible on July 1 and was the subject of trade speculation last summer. At the time, he was reportedly open to a change of scenery.
If Ehlers departs, it could be difficult to find a replacement. Stoller observed the Jets are not a prime destination for free agents. He suggested general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff could parlay a first-round pick for a play-driving top-six winger. However, it’s difficult to determine who could be available in this summer’s trade market and if the Jets first-rounder would be enough.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli has Boeser sitting second and Ehlers at seventh on his list of this summer’s top unrestricted free agents.
Both players will be in high demand when the UFA market opens on July 1, especially if other notable forwards ahead of them on this list (Toronto’s Mitch Marner and John Tavares, Dallas’ Matt Duchene and Florida’s Sam Bennett) end up re-signing with their current clubs.
Boeser and Ehlers could also decide to stay with their current teams. However, the pull of lucrative long-term contracts could prove irresistible.
Jets should also consider potential life without Vilardi 27-34-61 in 61 GP) who is prime for an Offer Sheet
I’m hoping Dubas wakes up and does an OS on Vilardi
He’s probably going to get a salary around $6M, so Pitt would need to give up a 1st and a 3rd.
But I would think Wpg matches if the offer is $6.8M or less.
Draft pick comps based on ranges:
$11.4M+ Offer sheet AAV is four 1st Round Picks
$9.1M – 11.4M is two 1sts + 2nd + 3rd
$6,8M – $9.1M is 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$4.5M – $6.8M is 1st + 3rd
$2.2M – $4.5M is 2nd
$1.5M – $2.2M is 3rd
Below $1.5M is nothing
I still think Dubas should offer it
3 @ $9 M
Take the gamble!
Kyle Dubious can offer sheet Vilardi, but there’s no way Chevy doesn’t match it.
If Dubas offers what Jets can’t afford…
The Jets have a ton of cap, it’s not happening.
Seravalli, whom I certainly don’t count as one of the more informed and knowledgeable guys on the hockey beat, projects Boeser to get a 7 year $9m. AAV contract. That would be ridiculous. He has only one season with over 56 points, always seems to miss time with injury and doesn’t play a physical game. He’s not worth anywhere near that an Vancouver should let him walk if that’s the kind of money he wants.
Ehlers, on the other hand, provides solid second line offense and is very valuable to a solid Jets team. They should try to sign him as long as his demands aren’t that crazy.
Howard,
Agree. Boeser is a complimentry piece. Doesnt drive play, not a prolific skater, zero physicality, i jury prone and requires a playmaker for any success.
Canucks have already made one drastic contract mistake with Pettersson. Another with Boeser should get Alvin, the Chipmunk and the Masters of Sedinery a place in the unemployment line.
Ehlers just might be a good fit in Montreal, teaming up with his friend Laine who has stepped right in and rejuvenated his career.
Ehlers is a LW but he has played centre
Montreal has become a destination spot again under the leadership of Hughes and Gorton.
They were saying the same thing about Scheifele and Hellebuyck leaving the Jets after their contracts were up.
I wouldn’t bet against Cheveldayoff on anything.
It’s always about the $.
Ehlers is so good with the Jets. If they offer the right $/term, I think he’ll be back. You never know what you’re getting when moving to a new team., so always a risk to move on. At least, it’s my hope that he’ll stay.
Will the $$ work?
Dvorak, Armia and Savard come off the books but Slavkovski and Guhle’s salary jumps significantly, and the year after next Hudson will receive a dump truck load.
And after next season Price’s contract expires …
Destination spot? I was thinking more like Aruba,Dominican Republic,Vegas,Dallas,or LA.
Demidov will fill that vacant 2nd line winger spot. Now if the Habs can get a true #2C in the offseason (which they will have to overpay for with picks and/or prospects… I doubt they want to do that via free agency or will be able to via offer sheet, but who knows?!?), slide Newhook to 3C, Evans at 4C, and they are looking solid for the next few years.
Ehlers has never played center, that’s just not his game.
LJ,
HuGo can make the $$ work, as it is they have said thy will go for an upgrade in the off-season, we just don’t actually know who or what it will be.
Retention on Petry and Allen come off, along with Savard, Armia and Dvorak is $15.65 million and the Slafkovsky, Guhle increase are around $10 million.
Projected cap increases in the next 3 years, $7,5, $8.5 and $9.5 and Jeff Molson stated he wouldn’t hold back $.
Sure, but projecting cap increases into the future doesn’t seem wise as of today
LJ, you’re not kidding! The way things are unraveling economically around the globe, EVERY aspect of “financial stability” is in serious doubt. The “hidden agenda” is in full swing.
HabFan, Ehlers is a fine player but the Habs don’t need him now. He’s a winger and has not played center.
Laine will continue to fill one of the wing spots on the second line and Demidov will fill the other. Caufield and Slafkovsky are the top line wingers. In addition they have bottom 6 wingers like Gallagher, Newhook and Anderson who can fill in higher in the lineup if necessary and don’t forget Dach. The Habs don’t need another high priced winger.
The Habs obviously need a second line center and all their energy and resources must first go toward filling that hole in the lineup.
Howard,
You’re right kind of but Ehlers is more than that.
He has played some centre though not a lot, he is a 25 Goal winger who consistently has more assists than goals .
In other words I can see an easy transition given his game as a set up man on top of scorer.
Otherwise, I have frequently mentioned Shane Pinto as the Sens seem to be banking on Cozens and Habs have the trade capital to swing it.
You Habs fans should consider Zacha at around 4.1 AV. Especially while the Bruins are reeling.
Great minds think alike Sr.
Having a down year points wise, but when you look at last 3 seasons combined, he is 45th. So an average 2C as far as points production.
Big, plays 200′. Experienced vet who is only 28. 2 years after this one on his contract.
MTL could do worse, and looking at this debate, fills a need.
Would MTL fans do Zacha for Hage and a first?
In dropping to a stage where they have to re-group, wouldn’t it be in the Bruins’ best interest to keep a guy who is only 28, has 2 years after this on a $4.75 mil deal, especially if he has all that potential you outline?
I wouldn’t Ray.
Hage is a prospect and as HF30 has said many times a prospect is just that. But Hage is highly rated, is an excellent skater and the Habs prize speed. He is a big Habs fan (meaning hopefully he would take that into consideration during contract negotiations).
Pavel is not chopped liver but his best season is 59 points. That would be an improvement on what the Habs have now, but I hope for better.
By the way, is anyone else having difficulties with Z A C H A being repeatedly auto corrected into Sacha? Annoying!
Ray Bark,
I wouldn’t make that trade, Hage is just a prospect but hehas too much upside.
Bruins got Zacha for Haula, good deal for Boston, but not one to be replicated by Habs in my opinion.
I’d do the 1st round pick and Dvorak. Less appealing long term for Boston, more appealing short term. Assuming a signed contract of course.
I’d love to get Zacha but I’d prefer not to give up Hage. I’d say a first and Mailloux. Pinto would be okay too.
BTW I just looked over the TSN power rankings. They have the Habs at 23. Behind several teams who are behind them in the standings, such as the Rangers, Wings, Flyers and yes even the Sabres who are set to miss the playoffs for the 100th straight season. Is it a requirement for employment at TSN that applicants must have their brains surgically removed?
Hey George, not saying he has great potential, he is what he is at this point at age 28. Mid range 2C, plays the game the right way.
Not a home run, but an upgrade for the Habs. Not asking for the moon either for 2 years of a 2C on an affordable contract. If he clicks with them, extend him.
Hage has upside, or wouldn’t have included. Or he might not ever stick, or may one day be a Zacha, which is fine, or he could bloom late and be better. So far he looks promising.
Zacha went 6th overall, he was highly touted as well. Turned into a good NHL center. If Hage becomes that, great pick by the Habs.
Pettersson has low value at the moment and no trade protection until July first. Some teams should take a chance given this, Jets, Calgary, Canes, Utah, Columbus, Buffalo, Detroit, Islanders, Minnesota, Nashville, Seattle and Philadelphia among others
Boston might. I’m not saying I think they should, but if they are looking at a quick turnaround, they need a high offense C.
I am firmly in the rebuild camp, but I don’t think Bruins ownership is. Or at least they haven’t been historically.
Well, Detroit has needs all over the ice, but what they need most is character/leadership/knows how to win type players. They miss David Perron.
Pettersson’s value may be low but his cap hit isn’t. He may be a gamble worth taking and his scoring isn’t going to vanish. The right circumstances resurrected PLD in Washington.
What do the Bs offer the Canucks, Ray?
LJ, I have no clue, because of what you just said. Had a crappy year, is that who he is, or is it the guy from the 2 years previous?
Only time I watch the Nucks is when they play the B’s or Oilers.