The Montreal Canadiens have emerged as a potential landing spot for Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk, and the timing is fascinating. With Vancouver struggling through a six-game losing streak and Montreal looking for another dependable scoring winger, a trade scenario that might have seemed unlikely a few months ago suddenly deserves a closer look.
But there is a catch, actually, several of them.
DeBrusk carries a $5.5 million annual salary-cap hit through the 2030-31 NHL season, owns a full no-movement clause for 2026-27, and plays for a Vancouver Canucks organization facing difficult decisions about its veteran core.
On October 16, Bleacher Report identified the Canadiens as one of five potential trade destinations for the 30-year-old winger. The Hockey News subsequently examined how he could strengthen Montreal’s middle six.
No trade negotiations between the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks have been confirmed in those reports. However, the possibility raises an interesting question: Could DeBrusk be the type of established NHL scorer who helps Montreal take another step toward Stanley Cup contention?
Why Jake DeBrusk Is Being Connected to the Montreal Canadiens
The latest speculation began with Adam Gretz’s October 16 analysis for Bleacher Report, which examined five potential destinations for Jake DeBrusk should the Vancouver Canucks consider moving him.
Montreal was included alongside Edmonton, Los Angeles, Minnesota and Ottawa.
The argument is straightforward. The Canadiens have an exciting young foundation but could benefit from another experienced winger capable of producing 20-plus goals without requiring first-line minutes.
I think the important detail is the distinction between a good hockey fit and an active trade discussion.
At this stage, the reporting describes a potential destination. It does not establish that Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has contacted Vancouver about DeBrusk.
Still, when a rebuilding team has a veteran scorer under a long-term contract, it’s reasonable to examine whether that player fits the organization’s direction.
Vancouver Canucks’ Six-Game Losing Streak Raises Trade Questions
The Vancouver Canucks have experienced a difficult opening to the 2026-27 NHL season.
Their frustrations were especially evident Thursday, when Vancouver surrendered a two-goal lead against Florida and eventually lost 3-2 in overtime.
The defeat extended the Canucks’ losing streak to six games.
For a team already facing questions about its competitive timeline, another difficult start creates an uncomfortable situation.
Should Vancouver continue trying to build around its established veterans, or should management prioritize younger players, draft capital and future flexibility?
DeBrusk represents an intriguing part of that conversation.
At 30 years old, he remains a productive NHL winger. However, his contract extends through 2030-31, meaning Vancouver must consider both his immediate contribution and his place in the organization’s long-term plans.
My view is that the Canucks shouldn’t trade DeBrusk simply because they’ve lost several games.
But if management believes its next legitimate competitive window remains several seasons away, exploring his market value would make sense.
The important question isn’t whether Vancouver can replace his goals tomorrow. It’s whether the assets received would help build a stronger team in the future.
Why Jake DeBrusk Could Be a Strong Fit for Montreal
The Canadiens already possess an impressive offensive foundation built around Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky.
Ivan Demidov adds another dynamic element to Montreal’s long-term attack, while Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson give the organization creativity from the blue line.
The issue isn’t necessarily the talent at the top of the lineup.
It’s whether Montreal can receive enough consistent scoring from its supporting forwards when opposing teams concentrate on shutting down its stars.
DeBrusk offers a potentially useful answer.
He has NHL experience, finishing ability, and the versatility to play on either wing.
He also wouldn’t need to become Montreal’s primary offensive driver.
A productive middle-six forward can have considerable value when he’s playing alongside established offensive talent rather than being asked to carry an entire line.
Where Would Jake DeBrusk Fit in the Canadiens Lineup?
I see DeBrusk as a potential second- or third-line winger rather than an automatic replacement for someone in Montreal’s established top unit.
A combination involving Alex Newhook and Chris Kreider could offer speed, physical presence and a legitimate finishing option.
Another possibility would be deploying DeBrusk alongside Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc, depending on the team’s health and chemistry.
What appeals to me most is DeBrusk’s ability to attack the inside of the ice and capitalize on opportunities created by his linemates.
Montreal doesn’t need another player who demands the puck on every possession.
It could use someone capable of turning a relatively small number of quality scoring chances into goals.
That is the specific role in which I believe DeBrusk could make a difference.
Jake DeBrusk’s Contract Could Complicate a Montreal Canadiens Trade
Here is where an interesting trade possibility becomes much more complicated.
DeBrusk signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks in July 2024.
His annual cap hit is $5.5 million, with the agreement running through the 2030-31 season.
That isn’t an unreasonable number for an established 20-goal NHL winger. However, Montreal’s cap flexibility is limited.
The Canadiens have approximately $691,000 in projected cap space against the NHL’s $104 million ceiling.
Adding DeBrusk’s full $5.5 million cap hit without removing salary would leave an estimated $4.81 million shortfall on a simplified annualized basis.
This means Montreal would likely need to move salary, obtain retained salary, or make other legitimate roster adjustments to complete such a deal.
Even if Vancouver retained half of DeBrusk’s cap hit, Montreal would still require approximately $2.06 million in additional room using that snapshot.
For me, this is the biggest reason the trade cannot be evaluated on hockey fit alone.
The Canadiens would be committing meaningful salary for several additional seasons, while Vancouver would need to decide whether retaining money for that long serves its rebuilding goals.
Can Montreal Afford Jake DeBrusk?
Estimated Cap Shortfall by Retention Scenario
What Would Jake DeBrusk Cost the Canadiens in a Trade?
Determining DeBrusk’s value is more complicated than looking at his previous goal totals.
Vancouver would be trading a reliable offensive contributor with considerable term remaining. Montreal would be acquiring a player who could strengthen its lineup now but also occupy valuable future cap space.
In my assessment, the likely negotiating points would involve draft picks, prospects and the amount of salary changing hands.
A package built around a second-round-level asset and another useful piece could be an exploratory starting point in a cap-neutral scenario.
That is my hypothetical valuation, not a reported asking price.
If Vancouver retained substantial salary, I would expect the Canucks to seek a stronger return.
However, I would be reluctant to move one of Montreal’s premier young prospects for a winger whose greatest value is secondary scoring.
Kent Hughes has worked to build a sustainable Canadiens core.
Sacrificing too much of that foundation for an upgrade that may not transform the team’s Stanley Cup outlook would be a mistake.
Jake DeBrusk to Montreal: Trade Fit Score
NHLTradeRumor.com editorial evaluation of performance, roster needs and transaction difficulty.
Interesting hockey fit. Significant trade obstacles.
DeBrusk could strengthen Montreal’s middle six. The deal becomes less attractive if acquiring him requires premium prospects, major cap concessions or long-term financial compromises.
Jake DeBrusk’s Scoring Numbers Show Why Teams Could Be Interested
DeBrusk’s production helps explain why his name belongs in a discussion about potential scoring upgrades.
During the 2025-26 season, he recorded 23 goals and 42 points in 81 games for the Vancouver Canucks.
Through his first seven games of 2026-27, he had already contributed three goals and five points.
That is a promising opening, particularly considering Vancouver’s early struggles. But seven games aren’t enough to establish a new scoring level.
One statistic I find more useful is his recent multi-season track record. DeBrusk has reached at least 23 goals in four of his previous five seasons, demonstrating that he can repeatedly provide meaningful offense.
His value isn’t based on one hot week in October. It’s based on the reasonable expectation that he can contribute goals throughout an NHL season.
For a Canadiens team hoping to maintain its upward trajectory, that’s the attraction.
Jake DeBrusk: The Scoring Snapshot
Vancouver Canucks | Through October 16, 2026
2025-26
2025-26
7 games, 2026-27
Goals Per Game Comparison
Could the Canadiens and Canucks Actually Make a Deal?
If Montreal seriously considered DeBrusk, I would expect the conversation to begin with contract structure rather than a blockbuster package of prospects.
The Canadiens would need to determine which existing salaries could be moved without creating another hole in the lineup.
Vancouver would have to decide whether a return based primarily on futures compensates for losing a proven scorer.
There is also another layer: DeBrusk himself.
His full no-movement clause gives him significant control over any potential trade this season.
That means even an agreement between the two general managers wouldn’t be sufficient without his approval.
It’s an especially important consideration after previous speculation about his willingness to remain through Vancouver’s rebuilding process.
In September, DeBrusk clarified earlier remarks about that situation, making it inappropriate to assume he wants out.
I wouldn’t interpret his presence in a trade-destination article as evidence that he’s requested a move.
Until there is reporting that Montreal has expressed specific interest or DeBrusk has indicated a willingness to waive his clause, this remains a hypothetical transaction.
My Verdict: Should Montreal Pursue Jake DeBrusk?
I like DeBrusk as a hockey player and believe his style could complement Montreal’s young offensive core.
He offers experience, goal-scoring ability and enough versatility to contribute in multiple roles.
However, I don’t believe the Canadiens should approach this as a trade they must make immediately.
Their young roster is still developing, and preserving financial flexibility will become increasingly important as the organization balances long-term contracts, emerging players and future roster needs.
For Vancouver, the question is equally significant.
Trading DeBrusk could return valuable assets, but selling a dependable scorer simply because of a disappointing October would be shortsighted.
My preferred outcome for Montreal would be a deal involving manageable acquisition costs and enough salary flexibility to avoid compromising the next several seasons.
Without those conditions, I would rather see Hughes remain patient.
The bottom line: Jake DeBrusk to Montreal is a credible trade-fit discussion, but not a confirmed trade negotiation. His production makes the possibility worth examining; his contract and no-movement protection make an actual deal much harder.
Those two realities are what make this one of the more interesting Montreal Canadiens trade scenarios to watch as the NHL season develops.
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Canucks are a rebuilding team and wins and losses are less important now than development of its young players so losing 6 in a row is not setting off alarms in Vancouver. Canucks have no pressure and so time is on their side in finding the best return for players like Debrusk. Wouldnt surprise me if they wait untill the TDL.