It is the cruelest part of the business. Sometimes, the player who wants to stay the most is the one who makes the most sense to move.
Vancouver Canucks insider Patrick Johnston of The Province recently dropped a fascinating nugget regarding Jake DeBrusk. Johnston noted how ironic it was to hear DeBrusk’s name surfacing on the trade rumor hot stove this week. Why? Because just days prior, DeBrusk had a candid chat about how much the losing in Vancouver pains him—and more importantly, how desperate he is to be part of the solution.
This isn’t a player looking for a life raft. This is a player who wants to help steer the ship.
But here is the cold, hard reality facing the Canucks front office: Sentimentality doesn’t rebuild franchises. While DeBrusk’s commitment is admirable, the Canucks are staring down the barrel of a full-scale rebuild. Does keeping a 29-year-old winger through his mid-30s align with a timeline that prioritizes the 2026 and 2027 draft classes?
Why DeBrusk is a Luxury the Canucks Can’t Afford to Keep
Despite the team’s struggles, DeBrusk has done one thing at an elite level this season: finish.
He has 12 goals on the year, but a staggering 11 of them have come on the power play. He remains one of the league’s most lethal net-front presences on the man advantage. That is a skill set that playoff contenders—teams struggling to convert when games tighten up—will pay a premium for.
We know DeBrusk is a winner. He battled in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final; he knows what it takes to grind through a regular season and score 27 goals. But he is currently in Year 2 of a seven-year contract carrying a $5.5 million AAV. If a contender acquires him now, they aren’t just getting a rental; they are locking down a top-6 forward until he is 34. That cost certainty is valuable in a cap-strapped league.
The “Ask”: What the Canucks Want for DeBrusk
If General Manager Patrik Allvin decides to pull the trigger, he won’t be giving DeBrusk away for cap relief. In the context of a “full-scale rebuild,” the Canucks need assets that peak alongside Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Tom Willander.
Sources suggest the Canucks would likely demand a package centered on high-upside youth and draft capital.
- The Primary Target (The Wish): A 2026 1st Round Pick. With a draft class headlined by generational talents, Vancouver needs as many first-round picks as possible.
- The Prospect: A “B+” to “A-” tier prospect, specifically a Center or Right-Shot Defenseman. The Canucks have wingers; they need spine players.
- The Partners: Keep an eye on the Edmonton Oilers (hometown connection), and Winnipeg Jets (need scoring).
The complication? DeBrusk holds a full No-Movement Clause. He controls his destiny. But if the losing continues to weigh on him, he might waive it for a chance to chase a Cup this spring, allowing the Canucks to harvest a return for the future.
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