Trade chatter is beginning to build around Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk, and the Ottawa Senators appear to be among the teams keeping a close eye on the situation.
According to two league sources who spoke with the Ottawa Citizen, the Senators are part of a group that has expressed interest in the 29-year-old winger. DeBrusk has quietly been one of the more consistent secondary scorers in the NHL, reaching the 20-goal mark in four of the last five seasons. He’s particularly good on the power play, where he scored 19 of his 23 goals this past season. Over the past two years alone, he has combined for 51 goals, and this is on a team that has gone through all kinds of drama and, frankly, been a disaster on the ice.
DeBrusk Is An Attractive Option on the Trade Market
DeBrusk is entering the second season of a seven-year, $38.5 million contract he signed with Vancouver in July 2024. He carries a $5.5 million annual cap hit and still has five years remaining on the deal. While the term could give some teams pause, the cap hit is considered manageable—especially for a player with a proven ability to score in a cap environment that is only getting more favorable for teams to take on money. Ottawa has about $17 million to spend, so his salary isn’t an issue.
Finishing among the NHL leaders in power-play goals, his net-front presence and ability to capitalize on opportunities make him a valuable complementary piece for teams looking to improve their top-six forward group. The Senators, who have skilled names like Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens, and Drake Batherson up front, don’t need DeBrusk to be everything to everyone. They just need him to do what he does.
The Senators are believed to be in the market for a forward who can slot into a scoring role and help push the team closer to playoff contention. The Sens made the playoffs in 2026, but were dismantled by Carolina. DeBrusk would help the Senators compete with better teams.
The Canucks Don’t Need DeBrusk, Who Seems Happy to Move On
The shifting direction in Vancouver could also play a major role in making DeBrusk available. They are leaning toward a full rebuild, and trading a veteran winger in a seller’s market for future assets may be a logical step. DeBrusk holds a no-move clause for the upcoming season, but he’s already said he’s not keen on being part of a rebuild at this stage of his career. It sounds like he’d be agreeable to a move.
DeBrusk may draw increased attention on the trade front, and not just from Ottawa. For other interested teams, this could be an opportunity to add a proven scorer without overpaying in free agency. The Edmonton Oilers have been linked to him in the past, and given his roots in Edmonton and their need to add complementary pieces around their core, he makes a lot of sense.
Next: Eastern Conference Playoff Team Internally Discussing Darnell Nurse Trade
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