Just when you thought the NHL offseason couldn’t get any more dramatic, a massive rumor is brewing out of the Pacific Northwest. According to Ottawa Sun insider Bruce Garrioch, “two league sources” have revealed that the Ottawa Senators are heavily pursuing Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk.
For Canucks fans, a DeBrusk trade might feel premature. The 29-year-old winger has spent the past two seasons in Vancouver, but reportedly, he is growing increasingly frustrated with the organization’s direction. He is not thrilled about sticking around for a full roster teardown. The Canucks are seemingly pivoting to a rebuild, looking to shed contracts and stockpile futures.
This creates the perfect storm for the Senators. They are desperate for a legitimate, proven top-six winger to round out their offensive core, and DeBrusk fits the bill perfectly.
But there’s a massive catch: DeBrusk holds a full no-movement clause (NMC) on his $5.5 million AAV contract. Will he waive it to head to Canada’s capital? Let’s dive into why this deal makes sense for both sides and what it will take to get it done.
Why Jake DeBrusk to the Ottawa Senators Makes Perfect Sense
When you look at the current makeup of the Ottawa Senators, they boast an incredibly talented young core. However, they’ve historically lacked veteran, playoff-tested wingers who can play a heavy, fast-paced game in the top six.
DeBrusk brings exactly that. With five years left on a contract carrying a very manageable $5.5 million average annual value, he provides long-term cost certainty. Slotting him alongside a playmaker like Tim Stützle or a grinder like Brady Tkachuk would instantly balance Ottawa’s lines. From an analyst’s perspective, this is the exact type of “hockey trade” a team on the verge of playoff contention needs to make.
The Vancouver Canucks Perspective: Retooling for the Future
My take on the Vancouver Canucks’ side of this rumor is that new general manager Ryan Johnson won’t be asking for an exorbitant roster-player return. Because the rebuilding Canucks are motivated to move his contract and embrace a new era, their asking price will heavily lean toward futures.
Expect Vancouver to demand a package consisting of draft picks, high-end prospects, or young NHL players still on their entry-level contracts. Ottawa has a stocked pipeline that could facilitate this without gutting their current roster.
The NMC Hurdle: Will DeBrusk Accept a Trade?
The sticking point in any deal involving Jake DeBrusk is his full no-movement clause. Players don’t negotiate NMCs just to waive them for the first team that calls. DeBrusk has to want to go to Ottawa.
However, if the alternative is wasting the prime of his career on a Vancouver team undergoing a painful, multi-year teardown, waiving his NMC for an up-and-coming Senators squad looks highly appealing.
Jake DeBrusk Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 628 | 189 | 167 | 356 | 5 |
| Playoffs | 86 | 27 | 20 | 47 | -16 |
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