Will Boucher ‘fit’ be a hit?
On third team this season, he feels ‘pretty comfortable with the systems’
Reid Boucher went to California with his girlfriend this week during the National Hockey League’s mandated five-day break. That might not seem like a big deal, but in his world it certainly is.
After enduring a wacky transitional week this season — the Vancouver Canucks’ winger was the property of three NHL clubs — you can understand how unplugging and unwinding couldn’t have come at a better time to help heal the body and mind.
It’s also allowing Boucher to put his future career plans on the back-burner — for now.
“I didn’t know anything about it (Vancouver) when I got here, but I like the organization and the city and feel like it’s a good fit for me,” said the Lansing, Mich., native who was claimed off waivers from the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 4.
“I feel pretty comfortable with the systems and defence is just working hard, sticking to the little details of positioning. And if you put extra emphasis on that, it will just take over. Playing in New Jersey, there was a lot of attention to detail.”
Despite limited playing time and no points in seven games, Boucher is a curiosity for a club that must keep trending in a younger direction. But whether the 23-year-old is a future franchise fit could depend on what transpires at the March 1 trade deadline with the possibility of moving wingers Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen and just how the roster is reshaped in the off-season.
Brock Boeser expects to make a full recovery from right-wrist surgery Dec. 14 that has limited the 2015 first-round draft pick to 11 goals in 25 games this NCAA season at North Dakota.
Derek Dorsett will also return after Dec. 5 neck surgery ended his season after just 14 games. Factor in what the Canucks may or may not do during draft week or in free agency and you’re left to wonder this:
Are the Canucks just kicking the tires on the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Boucher, or do they see something?
“I see a guy who has a good shot and is a smart player,” said Canucks coach Willie Desjardins. “He understands the game pretty well and is pretty patient with the puck.”
Maybe the Canucks are just rolling the dice or they see a situation somewhat similar to Markus Granlund. A year ago, few really understood the trade that sent minor-league sniper Hunter Shinkaruk — 21 goals in 45 games with the Utica Comets — to the Calgary Flames for Granlund.
And when the Finn had only two goals in 16 games with the Canucks to finish out last season, there was some swing-and-miss angst among the hockey populace.
However, Granlund’s game awareness was always the foundation of his game and an underrated feistiness on pucks and finish in the slot this season have resulted in a careerhigh 15 goals. Shinkaruk, a 2013 first-round pick by the Canucks, has played but seven games for the Flames and has just one assist.
It’s shockingly similar to 2014 firstround pick Jake Virtanen, who had one assist in 10 games before being shipped to Utica.
Does Boucher have some Granlund in his game? He does possess a quick and accurate shot, but threezone awareness is always a big deal in Willie’s World and a fourth-line role and a second-unit power play chance should bring out the best in both critical areas.
“We’re not getting scored on and I think we’re doing a pretty good job of creating offensive chances,” said Boucher, who had three-shot outings in Boston and Buffalo during the recent six-game road trip. “The thing is to finish the chances. When you don’t, that’s something to start to get worried about in how your game is going.
“I’ve had chances and it’s the sign of a good forecheck and working hard. And I’m comfortable on the power play and feel that’s a role I can play.”
Boucher is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights because he has accumulated four years of professional service. He’s also a lowrisk extension consideration. He has but 30 points (12-18) in 92 career NHL games with Vancouver, Nashville and New Jersey and his expiring one-year, two-way contract pays US$710,000 at the NHL level and $70,000 in the minors.
Here’s what one NHL scout told Postmedia: “His best skills are a highend NHL shot with the potential to score 20-plus goals and be a weapon on the power play. Has good offensive awareness to find time and space between forwards and defence. An average skater, who must keep his feet moving at all times, and he’s inconsistent without the puck.”
“I see a guy who has a good shot and is a smart player.” — Canucks coach Willie Dejardins