"From a coach's standpoint, I want our players to do well, I want them to make as money as they can make, but I also want them in camp, and we miss Brock," Green said. "I want him here. Training camp is really important to your team, and as individuals it's also important. Missing the time is hard, depending on how much time it is, but it's hard to simulate training camp. It's hard to simulate practices and games and it's unfortunate that's where it's at."
The 22-year-old is skating at the University of North Dakota, where he played two seasons, while waiting for a contract. He was third on the Canucks with 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) in 69 games last season despite missing 13 games with a groin injury.
"We've got a lot of new players," Canucks general manager Jim Benning said. "The first three days of camp are very important, with Travis and the system work he is going to do with the team, they practice the power play, so I'm hoping, but we'll see. I'm not going to start talking in the media as to the specifics of what he wants or what we are offering. We have talked about a long-term deal and we've talked about a short-term deal, so we're just trying to find some common ground that makes sense for both of us."
Boeser was slated to start this season back on the top line and power-play unit with Elias Pettersson, who won the Calder Trophy voted NHL rookie of the year after he had 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists) in 71 games. J.T. Miller, acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 22, and Micheal Ferland, who signed a four-year, $14 million contract July 10, were expected to compete for time playing with Pettersson and Boeser.
"It would be a lot easier if he was here, but he isn't," Pettersson said of Boeser. "We can hope he's here as quick as possible."
