Pending unrestricted free-agent forward Brock Boeser appears to be stung by the lack of progress on a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks as the March 7 trade deadline looms.
"I mean, I understand it's a business," he told Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre. "I feel like I'm a pretty loyal guy, and I feel like that should speak for itself. But it's a business, and that's just how things operate.
"We all know the three options that could happen: trade, re-sign, or neither. If nothing happens and July 1 comes around, I still think I'm in a good spot (as a UFA). ... (I've) definitely been open about, you know, how much I love it in Vancouver. So, yeah, it's actually frustrating that nothing's got done."
Boeser is playing out the final campaign of a three-year pact with a $6.65-million cap hit. It also includes some protection in the form of a 10-team no-trade list this season, according to PuckPedia.
The 28-year-old conceded in January that Vancouver could view him as an "easy guy" to trade in the midst of its tumultuous season.
The Canucks are one year removed from leading the Pacific Division with 109 points - good for the third-most in franchise history. They entered Wednesday's action one point behind the Calgary Flames for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a 26-20-11 record.
"I would have never guessed the year would have gone how it's gone after last year. ... It's been a lot," Boeser said.
Boeser has spent his entire career in Vancouver after being selected by the franchise with the 23rd overall pick at the 2015 NHL Draft.
He leads the club with 193 goals and ranks third on the team with 414 points in 520 games since his first full NHL campaign in 2017-18. Boeser enjoyed a career year last season, becoming the first Canucks player to record 40 tallies in a single season since Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler did it in 2010-11.
It's been a slower campaign for Boeser in 2024-25. He's logged 18 goals and 35 points in 50 games, but he's scored just four goals and six assists in 21 outings since Jan. 1.
Despite the lack of a contract extension, Boeser is trying to keep his mind on what he can control.
"I feel I can score more and produce more and maybe be a difference-maker out there," he said. "So I'm really just trying to focus on helping our team win hockey games right now."
He added, "I thought we were really playing some good hockey before the (4 Nations) break. I know the goals haven't come. But I truly feel that our defensive game has been the best it's been all year, and if we start getting the scoring, then we can win some games in a row."
