Making the case for Capitals to trade for Brock Boeser

The Washington Capitals have tried to make numerous trades. Some we know about. Some we don’t know about at all. But they have struck out every time. But one player they should try to at least explore is Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks.

The recently turned 26 year old was a first rounder in 2015 with the Vancouver Canucks at 23rd overall. He finished last season with 18 goals and 37 assists for 55 points after back to back 23 goal seasons. He scored the most goals in his second season but first full one as a 20 year old with 29.

He also comes at a good price. Cap Friendly has his AAV at $6.65 million. That’s sandwiched right in between Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha’s AAV.

The Caps could certainly use a 20 goal scorer at right wing. Or any wing for that matter in the top six. The question is, would the Canucks be willing to take on a salary of Mantha’s or Kuznetsov’s?

Kuznetsov? No. Unless he gets his form back. Mantha? Maybe. It’s a cheap prove it option plus Washington might have to retain salary.

Mantha could be good for the Canucks. They are in sell mode. Mantha is trying to get his career back on track. Vancouver shipped Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders, Luke Schenn to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Curtis Lazar to the New Jersey Devils before the trade deadline.

While those moves were happening, Brock Boeser’s name was mentioned among players that could also go. He was on Bleacher Report’s NHL Trade Block Big Board before the March 3 midseason deadline.

Among teams that showed interest in the 26 year old forward, one of those teams before the deadline was the Pittsburgh Penguins. Instead the Pens went all in and relied on Mikael Granlund and his $5 million cap hit to make the playoffs. They didn’t.

Meanwhile the Caps took the right approach by selling and tanking and maybe GMBM will pick up the phone.