TSN’s Farhan Lalji is under the impression that the Vancouver Canucks have a real interest in trading for veteran forward Brendan Gallagher. They like the idea of bringing in a leader and locker room presence with one year left on his contract at a manageable cap hit. However, there’s a catch.
The Canucks must move out forward Jake DeBrusk.
“If the Bredan Gallagher thing plays out, I think they have to move Jake DeBrusk,” said Lalji. “I think Brendan Gallagher can bring value for a year, and I don’t think he’s going to cost them anything to get him. But what I don’t want to see is another veteran player that blocks the path for a young player to make this team.”
Calling it unfortunate and needless at this stage in the Canucks development as a team, there are players in the system that need a chance during this rebuild. To give two spots to two veterans who aren’t a part of the long-term future for the organization makes little sense. “I understand that Brendan Gallagher is a culture carrier. I think he’d be a great fit in the room. Obviously, he’s motivated to come back home and play, and there are a lot of positives to bringing him here.”
Where Do the Canucks Send Jake DeBrusk?
What does that mean for DeBrusk? Well, there’s already talk that he doesn’t want to go through a rebuild and teams are showing interest. Among them is the Ottawa Senators.
“Two league sources told the Ottawa Citizen in the last 24 hours that they believe the Senators are among a group of teams that have shown interest in Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk, who has scored 20 goals or more in four of the last five seasons. The 29-year-old DeBrusk, who has spent the last two seasons with the Canucks, has five years left on a deal that pays him $5.5 million per season, but he’d be a good fit for the Senators, who are looking for a forward to help bolster the club’s top six group.”
The Edmonton Oilers might also be a fit, given they could use a top six scorer and he’s got a connection as an Edmonton-born player whose father works with the broadcast network that covers the team.
Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Maple Leafs, Oilers, McDavid & Kucherov
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