The Toronto Maple Leafs made a strong bid to recruit Brock Boeser from the Vancouver Canucks during the free agency period, offering him a more lucrative annual salary than the $7.25 million he ultimately settled for with Vancouver. However, Boeser opted for a seven-year contract with the Canucks, valuing long-term security and familiarity over the opportunity to play alongside star players like Auston Matthews in Toronto.

Insider Nick Kypreos revealed that the Leafs shifted their focus to Boeser after missing out on other targets, including Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers. Despite interest from Toronto, Boeser ultimately chose to remain with the Canucks, citing unexpected offers and a late contract extension as pivotal in his decision-making process.