With no contract in hand, Brock Boeser has returned to his alma mater to continue his preparation for the 2019-20 NHL season.
The Vancouver Canucks‘ 22-year-old restricted free agent reportedly worked out at the University of North Dakota’s Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., on Wednesday, according to the Grand Forks Herald.
Boeser, who hails from Burnsville, Minn., spent two years with the Fighting Hawks, collecting 94 points in 74 games and capturing the 2016 NCAA national championship as a rookie.
Boeser reportedly trained with UND associate coach and former Canuck Dane Jackson on Wednesday as Vancouver gears up for training camp, which is slated to kick off Friday in Victoria.
Despite training camp looming, the goal-scoring winger and Vancouver don’t appear close to a deal.
Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal tweeted Tuesday that Boeser will not be in attendance Friday and negotiations are not in good shape.
Dhaliwal added the Canucks’ cap issues — they have roughly $4.16 million in wiggle room — are causing problems and Boeser’s team knows a long-term deal isn’t possible. They are willing to work on a short-term contract, but a gap remains there as well.
Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy also reported Tuesday that the two parties had discussions the night prior, but a conclusion is not imminent and a bridge deal is more likely.
Boeser has consistently found the back of the net since entering the league full-time two years ago. The six-foot-one, 208-pounder had 29 goals across 62 games in 2017-18 and followed up his rookie campaign with 26 goals in 69 games last season.
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