Canadiens & Canucks In Trade Talks
Jake DeBrusk.
Per Jimmy Murphy of The Sick Podcast, an NHL source confirmed the Canadiens have expressed interest in the Vancouver Canucks winger, and it is not the first time.
"The Canadiens have looked into DeBrusk this offseason and that's not the first time they have," the source told Murphy. "They looked into signing him when he was an unrestricted free agent and then again at the last trade deadline."
When DeBrusk reached free agency in July 2024 and ultimately chose Vancouver, the decision was reportedly down to the Canucks and Seattle, but Montreal was interested then too.
Why the Fit Works Now
DeBrusk's contract is a significant part of the appeal.
The 29-year-old is entering the third season of a seven-year, $38.5 million deal that carries a manageable $5.5 million cap hit through 2031, a value price for a proven 20-goal scorer in a rising salary cap environment.
He led the Canucks with 23 goals last season and has scored 51 goals and 39 assists for 90 points across his two seasons in Vancouver, missing just one game in that span.
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His speed, forechecking, and net-front presence would fit seamlessly alongside playmakers like Nick Suzuki or Ivan Demidov, sliding into the second-line left wing spot opposite Demidov that Montreal needs to fill.
The mechanism for a deal appears tied to Brendan Gallagher.
The Canadiens have been shopping Gallagher, who has been linked to the Canucks, and the source explained why DeBrusk specifically appeals.
"DeBrusk just makes more sense cap-wise and evens off a Gallagher trade better," the source said. "The fact they have liked him since the 2024 offseason means this is worth watching to see what happens."
The Cap Math and the Obstacles
Montreal currently has roughly $10.98 million in available cap space.
If they can shed Gallagher's $6.5 million cap hit, they would have just shy of $17.5 million to fit in DeBrusk, re-sign restricted free agents Kirby Dach and Zac Bolduc, and still have room to address their bigger need at second-line center.
The complication is DeBrusk's full no-movement clause, which means he would have to approve any trade to Montreal.
Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, DeBrusk is believed to be open to almost any contending scenario, and the Canadiens coming off an Eastern Conference Final appearance with a promising young core would clearly qualify.
According to @MurphysLaw74, the Montreal Canadiens have checked in on #Canucks' Jake DeBrusk.
— Tyson Cole (@tyson_cole) June 24, 2026
“The Canadiens have looked into DeBrusk this offseason, and that’s not the first time they have,” the source told Murphy’s Hockey Law recently. “They looked into signing him when he was… https://t.co/qDgWVz5ZS4
Acquiring him will not come cheaply.
DeBrusk remains one of Vancouver's most valuable trade assets, and the Canucks would have little reason to move him unless the return significantly helps accelerate their rebuild.
Marco D'Amico of RG Media has reported that Montreal and Vancouver have also discussed the possibility of including Elias Pettersson in a larger Gallagher trade, though those have been described as only exploratory conversations.
