Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours with us here at Last Word On Hockey. With the 2026 NHL Entry Draft right around the corner, the time is nigh for the Vancouver Canucks to pull the trigger on some trades. While Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser remain firmly in trade talks, one move that is the most likely to happen is a Jake DeBrusk trade. Today, we will focus on the four Canadian teams that are in the running for DeBrusk and how a potential trade could shake out.
Credit Image: © David Kirouac/CSM via ZUMA Wire
NHL Rumours and 4 Canadian Teams Linked to Canucks Winger
Rumour: We take a look at the latest around Jake DeBrusk, including reports from David Pagnotta, Bruce Garrioch, Patrick Johnston, and other insiders on the interest in DeBrusk in Canadian markets.
Analysis: DeBrusk is a highly sought-after forward because he fits in the top six of many teams. His salary cap hit of $5.5 million per year until 2031 is also very palatable. Furthermore, DeBrusk is a player who would not make sense to keep on the Canucks roster.
DeBrusk has scored 20 or more goals in four of his last five seasons and was very effective on the power play. In fact, 19 of his 23 goals from last season were from the power play. Many of those goals came from being a net-front presence, as well as putting home rebounds in greasy areas. Sounds like a decent addition for many teams, doesn’t it? Let us discuss a few Canadian teams that he could fit on.
The Habs Could Use Some Winger Depth to Build Out Their Top Six
“The Canadiens have looked into DeBrusk this offseason and that’s not the first time they have,” a source told Insider Jimmy Murphy and Murphy’s Hockey Law recently. “They looked into signing him when he was an unrestricted free agent and then again at the last trade deadline.”
The Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams linked to DeBrusk, and looking at their forward group, you can see why. Currently, Alex Newhook is their second-line left winger alongside Jake Evans and Ivan Demidov. We know that the Canadiens are desperately searching for a second-line centre, and the Canucks know exactly how tough that is, from experience. Top-six centres do not come cheap, but one thing the Habs could do with a DeBrusk trade is save a bit of money.
Brendan Gallagher is likely on his way out, and perhaps he could be the piece going back to Vancouver, along with the 28th-overall pick in this year’s draft. Gallagher has been linked to Vancouver, and on the June 25th episode of Donnie and Dhali, he discussed his interest in joining the team and returning to the place where he grew up. That way, Montreal would save $1 million in cap space, paving its way to an easier time obtaining a centre. The fit works both ways.
The Ottawa Senators Could Still Improve Their Forward Core
After the fallout from the Brady Tkachuk trade this past weekend, the Senators filled the void that he left by trading for William Eklund. Insider Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen has reported that DeBrusk had been linked to the team. There is still a need for a second-line winger who could be an improvement over Ridly Greig, who currently occupies that spot.
Although the Senators cannot trade their #32 pick in the draft due to a previous penalty, they still have the #25 pick they can use for a possible trade for DeBrusk. With $19.5 million of cap space still left to be used, the Senators definitely do have the space to slot him in, should that be the path they take.
The Edmonton Oilers Are Another Team Interested
The Oilers are another team linked to Pagnotta’s trade board for DeBrusk. He is an effective forward who could not hurt the Oilers, and DeBrusk fits that bill. The top priority for the Oilers this offseason is still definitely replacing Darnell Nurse on the blueline, but adding another forward could still be important. While the Oilers only have $7.4 million in cap space as of now, shedding the $9.25 million from Nurse would open things up a little bit.
Where the Oilers may lose the bidding war is that they do not have the draft capital compared to other teams. They have a second and third-round pick, but that is all. It may take a bit more to make things work here with Vancouver.
Finally, the Winnipeg Jets Could Bring In An Impact Forward
Lastly, the Winnipeg Jets have also been linked to DeBrusk. He could help the power play, which only finished 24th in the NHL last season. DeBrusk would be a decent fit in the middle-six, and with the retirement of Jonathan Toews, and Gustav Nyquist likely heading to market, there is always some more room for another forward.
However, beyond the eighth overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Jets do not have much in the way of draft capital to send Vancouver’s way. The eighth pick would likely be too steep a price to pay. Isak Rosen was just signed to an extension, so sending him off is likely also not on the table.
Where DeBrusk Could Want to Go
While DeBrusk has not made it a secret that he wants out of a rebuilding situation, a ripple in the trade talks could involve DeBrusk’s no-movement clause. “Yea I’m pretty sure, along with most others, Jake doesn’t want to go east,” a source told Patrick Johnston and Postmedia News on Tuesday. If DeBrusk indeed does not want to go to the Eastern Conference, he has full power not to waive his clause, but for a player who wants a chance to win, he may need to accept it. To us, the Montreal route seems most fitting for both sides and makes sense, as the Habs are a strong Canadian team right now, and Gallagher’s fit in Vancouver is natural.
The Canucks need to make some moves and capitalize on a hot trade market, and fast. Time is ticking.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
