It’s now or never for Canucks’ Boucher
Reid Boucher knows all the numbers.
The Vancouver Canucks’ winger has been recalled for the fifth time this season — if you’re counting his brief cups of coffee and actual ice time — and as a replacement for the injured Brock Boeser, he knows this audition is unlike any other.
“This is huge for me to show my offensive side and I’m going to get a lot of good looks,” said Boucher, who faced the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night in his ninth NHL game this season and requires waivers to return to the affiliate Utica Comets.
“I try not to think about it [waivers] too much and those decisions are out of my control. I want to pick up where I left off the last time and every time I’ve gone down, I’ve wanted to get back up here as quick as possible. It’s a big motivator for me.”
Boucher is one of six restricted free agents either on the NHL club’s roster or injured. There are another six RFAs with the Comets and if you lump in all the unrestricted free agents here or on the farm, there are nine more decisions to consider.
Canucks’ GM Jim Benning is willing to move players for picks before the entry draft in June. There is also the packaging of players to consider in off-season swaps because his only two untouchables are Bo Horvat and Boeser, while the vastly improved Jake Virtanen is making a strong case to earn that tag.
Which brings us back to Boucher.
The absence of Boeser means the best-release bragging rights belong to Boucher, but that hasn’t bought him any security at the NHL level. He’s tied for second in AHL with 25 and during his last recall, the 24-year-old Lansing, Michigan, native had a two-goal outing against Dallas on Feb. 11.
Boucher has teased of potential but 19 goals in his first 129 career games with three teams — New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators and the Canucks — don’t scream everyday NHL winger. Then again, he was property of all three teams during one wacky week a year ago before being claimed on waivers from the Devils.
Noticeably fitter, somewhat faster and being more tenacious work in Boucher’s favour. But unless the Canucks get bold and move established RFA wingers such as Sven Baertschi and Markus Granlund — the injured forwards have arbitration rights and no leverage and might land one-year deals — roster room next fall will be at a premium.
Darren Archibald has done everything to establish himself as a tough, shutdown winger with some offensive potential. In a short study, Brandon Leipsic has a leg up on Tyler Motte and both have brought speed and skill elements. And do any of us really know what to make of the mercurial Nikolay Goldobin? Boucher knows what he has to be to help prop up the league’s 23rd-rated offence.
“I’m an offensive guy, but I have to take care of all the little details defensively because that’s how you get scoring chances and I want a job in this league,” he added. “But I’m a shooter. And when I get the chance, I usually take the opportunity.”
Coach Travis Green couldn’t have been presented with a better opportunity for longer looks at guys who have everything to play for down the stretch. In Boucher’s last five-game recall, there was more moxy to go with three, three-shot outings.
“He had a little bit more tenacity in getting to the inside and the hard areas,” recalled Green. “He had more confidence in his game and I thought he was moving better.”
That has to be everybody’s calling card in the remainder of audition season.
“These games are just as important as the start of the year,” said Green. “I want to see who’s a player — who plays to win every time. We’re going to push and find out who’s going to be a player and who is not.”