Canucks To Trade Jake DeBrusk This Summer

 

Back at the trade deadline, Jake DeBrusk told anyone who'd listen that he wasn't interested in being part of a rebuild. He wanted out of Vancouver, and the Canucks were trying to oblige. Unfortunately, at the time, there was no interest around the league. 

It's quite likely that will change in the summer. Teams that are looking for an offensive boost in their middle six will look at that $5.5 million cap hit, and figure that's about as reasonable as it gets in the new cap environment for a perennial 20-goal scorer. DeBrusk is one marker shy of hitting the 20-goal mark for the fourth time in the last five years. And he had 19 in the one that he fell short. He's even come within a few of 30 goals on three different occasions. 

His first year with Vancouver, in 2024-25, was a successful one, as he recorded a career-high 28 goals. He has five years left on his seven-year deal. 

As Ben Kuzma writes in the Vancouver Province, "there’s some sense that DeBrusk might benefit from a change of scenery in what he described as his most difficult season. All the losing and confidence-crushing goal droughts of eight and 10 games take a toll."

Kuzma admits that DeBrusk, 29, would have trade value this offseason, but he then asks how the Canucks would replace that production. "Would the Canucks part with draft picks in the off-season in a package to land a younger gunner?"

A lot of questions for Canucks management this offseason—whoever may be in charge. Recent reports from insiders David Pagnotta and Darren Dreger suggested that GM Patrik Allvin isn't going anywhere. So DeBrusk's future may be in his hands. 

Photo: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images