Vancouver Canucks

Jake DeBrusk Trade Conversation in Vancouver Is Suddenly Changing

Dive into the Jake DeBrusk trade conversation as he reflects on the Canucks’ ongoing losses and his feelings on the situation.

by
NHL Trade Talk
January 14, 2026

The trade narrative surrounding Jake DeBrusk and the Vancouver Canucks may be starting to shift—and the timing isn’t coincidental. Not long ago, reports suggested DeBrusk loved playing in Vancouver and wasn’t eager to be moved. With all this losing, his recent comments have people wondering if he’s open to a change.

As the losses pile up — the Canucks dropped their eighth straight game — DeBrusk spoke candidly about the toll it’s taking. “I’ve never lost this many games in a row in my life,” he admitted. Clearly, this is not DeBrusk publicly asking for a trade. He is not saying he wants out. This is DeBrusk admitting that he’s never been through this before, and he’s not a fan.

Canucks insider Patrick Johnston noted the irony of DeBrusk’s situation: a veteran winger openly frustrated by the losing while simultaneously trying to be part of the solution. But as Vancouver continues to spiral, the conversation naturally shifts from can he help fix this to should the Canucks be moving pieces like him instead.

DeBrusk Might Be Open to a Change, and The Canucks Best Bet is to Trade Him

From a market standpoint, DeBrusk remains intriguing. He has 12 goals on the season, 11 of them coming on the power play, where he’s still among the league’s most effective net-front threats. That alone would make him a valuable target for a team looking to improve its numbers on the man advantage.

More importantly, DeBrusk isn’t a rental. He’s in the second year of a seven-year deal with a $5.5 million cap hit, offering a reasonable number in a rising cap era and cost certainty through his age-34 season. Again, that has value.

Canucks’ GM Patrik Allvin recently confirmed the team is entering a rebuild. DeBrusk could become a premium trade chip if they don’t see him as part of their plan. The ask would be significant: ideally a 2026 first-round pick, plus a high-upside prospect—preferably a center or right-shot defenseman to better align with Vancouver’s future core.

The wildcard, of course, is DeBrusk’s full no-movement clause. He controls his fate. But if the losing continues to weigh on him, the idea of waiving that protection to chase a Cup may become far more appealing—for both sides.

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