This Canucks-Oilers Trade Connection Won’t Go Away

Insider Bob Stauffer recently said that if the Edmonton Oilers miss out on veteran free-agent forwards like Claude Giroux or Vladimir Tarasenko, GM Stan Bowman could turn to making a trade with the Vancouver Canucks.

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Vancouver doesn’t have too many forwards who would be of interest to Edmonton, which makes it quite easy to narrow it down to hometown kid Jake DeBrusk as one of, if not the main, option.

DeBrusk has seen his name come up on several insiders’ summer trade boards, including David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, who specifically linked the Oilers as one of the teams reportedly interested in the veteran winger.

“DeBrusk has made it clear he does not want to endure a rebuild and the Canucks are trying to find him a new home. He owns a full no-movement clause, but is open to various destinations and the expectation is that he will be moved at some point this off-season.

Teams Reportedly Linked: Columbus, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Seattle, Edmonton, Montreal,”

The 29-year-old DeBrusk has five years remaining on the seven-year, $38.5 million contract he signed to join the Canucks as a free agent in 2024. He tallied 42 points (23 goals, 19 assists) in 81 games played last season.

It’s been quite the turn of events for DeBrusk, who signed in Vancouver to play on what he thought was an emerging contender led by Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller, and Elias Pettersson. Two years later, the Canucks are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild, so it’s easy to understand why he may be seeking a move.

His fit in Edmonton is an obvious one both on and off the ice. The Oilers could use an upgrade in their top six, and while some are wary of his contract and inconsistencies at times, he did score 23 and 28 goals, respectively, in his first two seasons in Vancouver despite all of the turmoil.

If Bowman can acquire DeBrusk at a reasonable price and perhaps even get some slight salary retention on his $5.5 million cap hit, then it makes far too much sense not to seriously explore it.

Next: Kraken Agree to Trade Shane Wright to a Team in Need of a Young Center