NHL Rumors: Canucks insider claims Brock Boeser's future "could be linked" to Mitch Marner's free agency decision

On the Tuesday episode of the Donnie & Dhali Podcast, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal shared that Brock Boeser's future "could be linked" to Mitch Marner's free agency decision. Boeser and Marner are unrestricted free agents after the 2024-25 season.

Boeser’s most recent deal with the Vancouver Canucks was a three-year contract worth $19.95 million, and he has played nine seasons for them.

Meanwhile, Mitch Marner’s six-year, $65.408 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended in the 2024-25 season. He scored a career-high 102 points, so if he enters the market, he will receive a high valuation and could become one of the top-earning players in the league.

Dhaliwal pointed out that Boeser and Marner are right-shot right wingers, which could make them top names to watch out for in free agency.

"Boeser’s future could be linked to Mitch Marner. Both right shot right wingers. Marner's the prize catch on the free agent market. The right wing market after Marner and Boeser is very small, so keep an eye on where Boeser or Marner goes," Dhaliwal said.

He also mentioned that Boeser has drawn interest from several teams.

"Travis Green and Mike Yeo in Ottawa, they love Boeser. Tocchet in Philly. The Kings have liked Boeser for a while. The Bruins were poking around at the trade deadline. There's going to be interest. Minnesota teams looking for goal scorers," Dhaliwal added.

Boeser’s next contract could be risky for the team that signs him, but his scoring ability is valuable for the Canucks. Vancouver struggled to score last season, ranking 23rd in total goals. Boeser is a natural goal scorer, though, which the Canucks really need.

Boeser’s possible departure would leave a big gap on Vancouver’s power play. In his early years, he scored many power-play goals from the left side. As the Canucks added new players, like J.T. Miller, Boeser evolved his game and became good at playing near the net and making plays down low.

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Mitch Marner is going to test free agency amid contract uncertainty

After nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, star forward Mitch Marner will likely step into free agency on July 1.

He hasn't clearly mentioned to the Leafs that he wants to leave, but according to NHL insider Darren Dreger, things don't seem very close between Marner and the Leafs.

"Don't believe that he's flat out told (Leafs GM) Brad Treliving, 'I have no interest in coming back. Don't bother', " Dreger said on First up podcast on Tuesday. "But, I don't get the sense that there's been a whole lot of love back & forth either."

If the Leafs make an offer that works for both sides, Mitch Marner might consider staying, but for now, he's expected to consider all options.