As the NHL's free agency period approaches, the Ottawa Senators are reportedly among the teams expressing interest in acquiring Brock Boeser, a soon-to-be unrestricted free agent forward. Boeser, 28, is expected to leave the Vancouver Canucks after nine seasons with the team. While Boeser would address Ottawa's need for a top-six forward with goal-scoring ability, the Senators should be prudent about the contract term they offer.
Boeser is coming off a season in which he scored 25 goals and 50 points in 75 games. He has surpassed the 20-goal mark in six of his eight full NHL seasons. His best season came in 2023-24 when he recorded 40 goals and 73 points in 81 games. Overall, Boeser has recorded 204 goals and 230 assists for 434 points in 554 career games.
Several teams are expected to compete for Boeser's services, including the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and the Utah Mammoth. The competition could drive up Boeser's price, with projections suggesting he could command around $8 million or higher annually. AFP Analytics projects a six-year deal worth $8.5 million annually. Evolving Hockey projects an eight-year contract with an $8.15 million cap hit.
The Senators have approximately $10.75 million in cap space. They also need to re-sign veteran UFA Claude Giroux and potentially address other roster needs, such as acquiring a right-shot defenseman. Given these constraints, Ottawa may need to shed salary to comfortably afford Boeser.
Senators coach Travis Green, who previously coached Boeser in Vancouver, is reportedly a fan of acquiring the player. Boeser's cousin also works as a scout for Ottawa, adding another layer of connection. Boeser could be a strong fit alongside Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk, potentially improving Ottawa's five-on-five goal production, which ranked 30th in the league last season.
However, the Senators must be wary of committing to a long-term, high-value contract for Boeser. While he has demonstrated goal-scoring prowess, his overall impact has been inconsistent. Some analysis suggests his on-ice impact over the past four years has been closer to that of a third or fourth-line player, although he was a strong top-six player earlier in his career.
Boeser will be 28 years old when the 2025-26 season begins. A shorter-term deal in the three-to-four year range would mitigate the risk of decline as he enters his thirties. While Boeser's offensive abilities are attractive, the Senators need to balance their desire for scoring help with sound financial planning and long-term roster flexibility. A reasonable term is key to ensuring that Boeser's addition would be a boon, rather than a burden, for the team.
