I agree with you on the messaging, and I agree with you that players don't think like posters on HF. The players absolutely still believe in their team, and 100% want to compete for the playoffs, and trading Boeser (without immediately reallocating those assets) will be a shot to player morale.
And I am fine with the keep Quinn happy idea, although I ultimately don't think he will stay, so trying to be as competitive as possible makes sense. But, consider this, if you are going to miss the playoffs once over the next two playoffs, do you think missing the playoffs this year or next year will be more detrimental to re-signing Hughes? Because I think it is obviously the latter. So if you can trade Boeser for futures right now, and make a very good trade with those futures in the summer, and be more competitive next year, I can see that route being the more likely route of keeping Quinn here.
UFA class at forward doesn't look great this summer so trying to merely fill the gap or improve the team offensively through free agency, with Boeser's money, may prove more difficult than acquiring a player(s) with futures.
Plus, I don't think losing Boeser will actually have a big impact on the Canucks playoff chances this year.