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Jake DeBrusk Emerges as Vancouver's Top Trade Candidate

Reports this weekend say his recent scoring and a five-year, $5.5 million no-movement contract make him a valuable but logistically tricky asset for a Canucks rebuild.

Overview

  • Reporting this weekend converged on DeBrusk as the Canucks’ likeliest move because Vancouver has shifted to an early rebuild and needs tradable assets.
  • DeBrusk has 51 goals over the past two seasons and 33 power-play goals in that span, giving him clear value as a top-six scorer and special-teams weapon.
  • His contract runs through 2030-31 at a $5.5 million cap hit and includes a no-movement clause, which complicates trades by requiring his approval or creative salary maneuvers from buyers.
  • Multiple outlets named nine plausible fits around the NHL, and insiders say DeBrusk is expected to be willing to waive movement restrictions to join a more competitive team, making deals likely if cap fits can be worked out.
  • A DeBrusk trade would give Vancouver draft picks or prospects to accelerate the rebuild while offering contenders an experienced power-play scorer, and Elias Pettersson remains viewed as a separate, less-likely trade candidate.