Brock Boeser’s hot start has at least one close observer convinced he’s the real deal.
Sportsnet’s Iain Macintyre has been covering the Vancouver Canucks for nearly three decades and he trotted out a lofty comparable for Boeser — who’s netted 14 points in 13 games this season — while speaking to Ryan Dixon and Rory Boylen on the Tape to Tape podcast.
“I believe he’s the most talented finisher they’ve had since Markus Naslund scored 48 goals in [2002-03],” said MacIntyre, noting the Canucks haven’t had a 50-goal man since Pavel Bure in 1997-98. “They haven’t had many guys who can finish like Boeser does.”
MacIntyre also referred to Boeser as the “thin edge of the wedge” when it comes to prospects in the pipeline, noting Vancouver has a wave of youngsters who will be NHL-ready in the very near future.
As for two guys who’ve been with the team seemingly forever, MacIntyre still isn’t sure what’s in store for Daniel and Henrik Sedin beyond this season. Playing in the final year of their contracts, the Sedins have seen their ice time scaled way back to below 14 minutes a game.
“If there are nine other forwards who are better than them by the end of this season, I don’t think they’ll be back and I think they’ll retire as Canucks,” MacIntyre said.
The man in charge of who plays where these days is Travis Green. While MacIntyre said Green has a little more to work with than former bench boss Willie Desjardins, there’s no denying the rookie coach has Vancouver executing a more modern style.
“They’re not fast, but they’re playing quickly,” Macintyre said.
Speaking of speed, Boylen and Dixon dissected the three-way trade that sent Matt Duchene to the Ottawa Senators, Kyle Turris to the Nashville Predators and a ton of futures to the Colorado Avalanche.
“I guess it was worth the wait because I think everyone got what they wanted,” said Dixon.
The boys also put on their pretend GM hats to make some fake trades. Multiple blockbusters moved some D-men from Vancouver and Winnipeg to Toronto, found blue line help for Edmonton and a new home for struggling Flames youngster Sam Bennett.
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