The Toronto Maple Leafs had their sights set on Brock Boeser in free agency. The 28-year-old winger, coming off a productive year, was viewed as a prime candidate to fill the offensive gap left by Mitch Marner. But despite Toronto’s reported willingness to pay more annually, Boeser chose to stay with the Vancouver Canucks.
Maple Leafs Miss Out on Brock Boeser Despite Competitive Offer
According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, the Maple Leafs dangled a higher yearly salary than the $7.25 million average Boeser eventually accepted. The catch? Toronto’s offer came with a shorter commitment, while Vancouver handed Boeser a full seven-year deal worth $50.75 million.
“My heart was still with Vancouver” 💙💚
Brock Boeser on re-signing with the Canucks in free agency. pic.twitter.com/Yu6pB0fcFa
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 2, 2025
“The word is that the Leafs may have offered a higher annual salary than the $7.25 million (U.S.) that he took to stay with the Vancouver Canucks, but on a much shorter-term deal than the seven years he agreed to. Boeser ultimately chose the longer contract and familiarity with the West Coast over playing on a line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies,” Kypreos wrote.
That kind of long-term security isn’t easy to walk away from, especially when it comes from a team Boeser has spent nearly a decade with. The Canucks doubled back with an offer in the 11th hour, and that seemed to seal the deal.
Maple Leafs Pivot After Losing Boeser
The Leafs didn’t just target Boeser on a whim. After watching the Florida Panthers lock up Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad before free agency opened, Boeser quickly became one of the few big names left on the board. And with Marner shipped out to Vegas, Toronto’s need for another top-line winger became urgent.
Boeser had a 25-goal, 50-point season last year and hit 40 goals the year prior, numbers that made him an obvious fit alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. But Vancouver offered more than familiarity. They offered certainty. And that may have made the difference.
Insider Daniele Franceschi noted that Boeser’s ability to thrive in a Canadian market could’ve helped him transition into Toronto’s spotlight.
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“Being able to potentially sign a player of that caliber, I think it would have been interesting. It also helps that he would have been coming from a fellow Canadian market, so he’s got a little bit of experience playing …under the limelight, being front and center all the time,” he said.
He also pointed out that while Boeser isn’t as complete a player as Marner, his scoring touch and experience would’ve added serious depth to the Leafs’ forward group.
Still, the Canucks’ move came as a surprise, even to Boeser. Rick Dhaliwal reported that the winger had several strong offers on the table, including Toronto’s, before Vancouver circled back unexpectedly.
“Brock had options, I’ve been told he had 5 serious offers on the table..”@DhaliwalSports recaps Day 1 of free agency yesterday and the surprising Brock Boeser contract with the #Canucks https://t.co/h4e2SKM7eJ pic.twitter.com/KeHTZlivE0
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) July 2, 2025
In the meantime, Toronto has brought in Matias Maccelli via trade and added center Nicolas Roy. But neither player offers the goal-scoring profile Boeser brings. General manager Brad Treliving now faces a shrinking market and limited high-end options.
So far, the Leafs haven’t been able to land that headline-grabbing forward. Boeser might’ve been their best shot. Instead, he chose long-term comfort with the team he knows best. And for Toronto, that’s one more name off the board as their search continues.
the slow decline of the leafs starts now
The leafs offered more than he accepted, but less than he was offered in Vancouver on a similar term (5x$8M) earlier. He turned that down because term was more important than money.