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DeBrusk Stands to Win Big If He Works with Canucks on Trade This Season

It would serve Jake DeBrusk well to work with the Vancouver Canucks this season on a trade. What does he have to gain?

by
NHL Trade Talk
October 21, 2026

Jake DeBrusk of the Vancouver Canucks was mentioned on Chris Johnston’s latest trade board, and in the summary of his situation, the NHL insider hinted that DeBrusk might be motivated to work with Vancouver on a trade this season. Noting that the forward holds the control in a deal, if he accommodates the Canucks now, he gets to choose his landing spot.

Johnston writes:

“A player who doesn’t fit the mold of the rebuilding efforts underway in Vancouver. DeBrusk is a strong skater with a nose for the net, having surpassed the 20-goal plateau five times during his NHL career. This is also the final season in which DeBrusk’s contract includes a full no-movement clause, making it the last where he’ll have full control over his destination in a trade. The Canucks are clearly positioned to be sellers, and DeBrusk’s deal is looking more attractive with salaries on the rise around the league.”

After this season, DeBrusk’s full no-trade clause becomes a 15-team no-trade list. That means the Canucks can trade him to half of the league without his approval. It’s not ideal, assuming DeBrusk is looking to choose his landing spot.

As star players like Dylan Larkin and Connor Hellebuyck try to dictate where they wind up, there’s hesitation on the part of many teams to pay the trade price of either player. DeBrusk isn’t in that upper teir of stars, and his contract is far more manageable at $5.5 million per season until 2031. He’d be popular, and several teams would look to make trade offers — many of which might not be an ideal landing spot.

DeBrusk Doesn’t Need to Officially Request a Trade

DeBrusk might be smart to go to the Canucks now and let them know he’s open to a move and has a handful of places he’d be OK with joining. It’s not a formal trade request, as much as it would be an open invite to shop him around to one of a handful of clubs that might be interested.

If he gets ahead of things, he can better control his future. That doesn’t mean the Canucks will work with him if their plan is to shop him in the biggest market possible. But, if they want to move him now, the two could work together to create a win/win situation.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Rangers, Jets, Mammoth, Penguins, Maple Leafs & Red Wings