The Vancouver Canucks’ rough start to the 2026-27 season has created a possible opening for the Edmonton Oilers, and Jake DeBrusk is one name that could surface if Vancouver follows through on its reported willingness to move veterans.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Canucks are open to dealing several experienced players, including DeBrusk, Drew O’Connor, Filip Chytil and Luke Schenn. Vancouver is said to be looking for younger, NHL-proven talent as it reshapes its roster.
DeBrusk, an Edmonton native, is reportedly open to a change of scenery and the chance to join a contender, though he has not asked for a trade publicly. There have also been no confirmed reports tying Edmonton to any actual talks involving the winger.
Even without a formal link, DeBrusk checks enough boxes to make him a name worth watching for general manager Stan Bowman. He’s a proven scorer, he has playoff mileage, and he could add another layer to an Oilers forward group that is trying to make the most of its Stanley Cup window.
DeBrusk’s appeal starts with his game. He brings speed, an aggressive forecheck and a knack for finishing around the net.
Last season with Vancouver, he scored 23 goals and finished with 42 points in 81 games. This season, through 17 games, he has five goals and 10 points, which puts him on pace for roughly 24 goals and 48 points over an 82-game schedule.
The deeper numbers offer a more mixed picture. DeBrusk has a 44 percent expected-goals share at five-on-five, though his relative expected-goals percentage is about six points better than what his teammates have produced without him. That doesn’t scream dominance, but it does suggest he has been doing better than Vancouver’s overall results when he’s on the ice.
For Edmonton, the attraction is obvious: a winger who could slide into the top six and maybe benefit from better linemates. The question is how much of his offense would translate.
DeBrusk scored 19 of his 23 goals last season on the power play, with only four coming at even strength. That makes his five-on-five production a major part of the evaluation.
Would he find more touch at even strength in Edmonton, or would his value still lean heavily on special teams?
If the Oilers did make the move, head coach Mike Babcock would have options. DeBrusk could be paired with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on a secondary scoring line, giving Edmonton another finisher while spreading out its offense. He could also get looks with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, where his willingness to drive the net and work off the rush could fit with their playmaking.
His postseason résumé adds another layer. DeBrusk has 47 points in 86 career playoff games and was part of Boston’s run to the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.
That kind of experience matters, but Edmonton would also have to sort out where he fits on the power play. With McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard already established there, DeBrusk might not get the same kind of usage he has seen in Vancouver.
That puts even more weight on his five-on-five numbers.
The contract is where things get more complicated. DeBrusk is in the third season of a seven-year, $38.5 million deal with a $5.5 million cap hit through 2030-31. He also has a full no-movement clause this season before it shifts to a 15-team no-trade list in July 2027, so any immediate deal would need his approval.
A possible trade framework could include a second-round pick, a younger NHL-ready forward and a conditional asset. That sort of package might appeal to Vancouver if it wants younger players with NHL experience, though the Canucks could also push for more from a proven scorer. Edmonton would still have to make the money work, either by moving another contract or by arranging a separate transaction to clear space.
Salary retention could be part of the discussion, but it would not be easy to negotiate with four years left after this season. Even if Vancouver kept 25 percent, it would still carry $1.375 million annually through 2030-31. There would also be the matter of sending an established forward to a Pacific Division rival, something Vancouver would have to weigh carefully.
For Edmonton, the hometown angle makes the idea even more interesting, but that alone won’t drive the decision. DeBrusk’s speed, scoring touch and playoff background would help the Oilers’ depth. His contract length and his recent reliance on power-play production are real concerns, though, especially with the team already managing several major commitments.
At $5.5 million per season, the Oilers would be betting on a winger who will turn 35 during the final year of the deal. That could affect Bowman’s flexibility as he juggles the rest of the roster. It also raises the question of whether those resources would be better used elsewhere, such as at centre or on defense.
For now, there’s no indication Edmonton is actively chasing DeBrusk. But if Vancouver keeps moving toward a roster shakeup and the asking price stays reasonable, he’s the kind of player the Oilers would have every reason to examine closely.
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