Canucks: Brock Boeser knows suspension is a difficult game to play

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For Brock Boeser, training ground has rarely had the straight-line trajectory of his shot that has precision and speed.

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From health issues to a contract suspension to rumors that the Vancouver Canucks were buying his right winger, there was always the possibility of derailing the player physically or mentally so that he did not become a factor of difference.

What he has become is a more well-rounded player with the understanding that consistency of effort will translate into more goals and wins. Not only did he lead the Canucks in scoring last season with 49 points (23-26) in 56 games, and a team-highest 16.2 percent shooting percentage, he was also on track for a record-breaking 32 goals. staff, in an 82- game campaign.

That’s commendable for a guy who seems to have it on a different level.

Boeser’s composure at a microphone in a hockey-crazy market is as admirable and balanced as his level of competition on ice. Not that there weren’t any nervous moments two years ago when he missed the start of training camp in Victoria due to a dead end of a contract extension.

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In that vein, Boeser, 24, understands what absentees Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes are now experiencing as their extension talks continue to drag on amid different salary and temporal scenarios.

“Obviously it sucks, but it’s part of the process,” Boeser said of the dynamic duo Wednesday at Rogers Arena on the eve of training camp opening in Abbotsford. “It’s about finding a fair deal for both parties. We all know they want to be here and be here for a while, so I’m not too worried about that.

“I’ve been in touch with them a bit here and there to see how they are doing and I think they will be here soon. They will be ready to go. “

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Boeser’s teammates said the same thing two years ago.

The end field was pushing for a four-year deal at $ 7 million a year and that dollar figure was reached in a three-year advance deal for $ 17,265 million with total annual salaries of $ 4 million, $ 6,125. million and US $ 7.5. million. If Boeser builds on the last session, he is poised for a big increase next summer with a high qualifying offer and arbitration rights.

“Before camp, I didn’t think (the contract) was going to be that urgent,” Boeser recalled. “I started watching videos of the guys skating together and then going to play preseason games, I didn’t like that feeling of sitting down and not being with the guys. I felt like my side and his wanted to push things forward and it got a little more urgent.

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“A deal can come quickly when both parties begin to agree on terms.”

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However, sometimes mind and body can take much longer to connect.

With a new contract in hand, Boeser was catching up and had one goal in his first seven games. He suffered a groin strain in October that morphed into an adductor injury that had connections to the back injury, a persistent wrist ailment and insufficient off-season training. He would end 2019-20 with 16 goals in 57 games.

“That was tough,” he admitted. “After a back injury and not really having that full summer, but in the last two mini-camps we’ve had, I’ve felt pretty good and good again. This summer, and I keep saying this, but my skating is getting better and better and to keep feeling better is exciting for me individually and I’m obviously ready for camp to start. “

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Boeser is just as cautious with draw and takeaway totals as his goal tally. He knows his shot punched his NHL ticket, but he’s slowly embraced a two-way game. That can be difficult for a guy who can change any game with a flick of the wrist.

And even when Boeser suffered a broken rib cartilage on February 10, 2020, and didn’t score in his last 12 regular-season games, he never lost his resolve.

“He’s made good progress,” Canucks coach Travis Green said. “He has become a go-to man for us over the years, but he understands that winning is more than just scoring. That’s one of the things that has changed at Brock. When he’s in his game, he’s doing a lot of little things that really have nothing to do with scoring.

“We know that he is capable of that and that he is that type of player. But when he matures, he begins to understand stepping out of his comfort zone to do things that don’t come with much glory and that aren’t recognized on the payroll. “

However, that shot will always turn heads. Boeser also led the Canucks with eight power play goals in the compact 2020-21 season.

“He’s so dangerous,” linemate JT Miller said. “He’s a threat to score every time and he has such good hockey sense to put himself in those areas as we’ve seen so many times. His release is so good that he can beat anyone from almost anywhere. He’s bringing it up more consistently.

“He knows what his strengths are, and when he plays that committed game, it’s hard to stop.”

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