Canucks getting trade interest on DeBrusk but there’s a catch
Henrik Sedin caused a stir in the Vancouver Canucks’ fan base on Thursday.
During the Sedins’ press conference addressing the state of the Canucks’ 20 games into the season, Henrik suggested the team wasn’t overly interested in draft picks.
“We’re not going to trade great players just to get more draft picks,” said Henrik. “Because in the end, you do need to put a better product on the ice and add players to support our young guys coming in.”
A lot of Canucks fans want the team to sell every player who isn’t nailed down, with veteran winger Jake DeBrusk at the top of the trade list.
‘Several clubs have shown interest’
DeBrusk is in the third year of a seven-year deal that he signed back when it was thought by some that the Canucks were an up-and-coming team on the verge of becoming a contender, rather than a team on the verge of falling apart and starting a rebuild.
According to a new report from Bruce Garrioch of the Toronto Sun, there are teams interested.
“A league executive says that several clubs have shown interest in forward Jake DeBrusk,” said Garrioch.
Who those teams are and what shape that interest has taken is an open question.
There are just a couple of things standing in the way of the Canucks making a deal.
‘They could have easily traded DeBrusk by now’
One issue is that DeBrusk has a full no-movement clause on his contract this season. That changes to a 15-team no-trade list next season, which would make it easier to get a deal done.
That said, while DeBrusk won’t ask for a trade, it’s well known that he’s amenable to one, so his no-movement clause might not matter.
The bigger issue might be the asking price.
According to Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal during an appearance on Halford & Brough, the Canucks could have dealt DeBrusk already.
“They could have easily traded DeBrusk by now for picks and prospects,” said Dhaliwal. “Easily. It could have been done. The reason he hasn’t been traded is because they’re obviously holding out for more.”
According to Dhaliwal, the Canucks’ asking price for DeBrusk during the offseason was “pretty high,” partly because their left wing depth is limited.
“If you get rid of DeBrusk for picks and prospects, go look at the left side of the Vancouver Canucks’ forward group: they’re all bottom-six guys,” said Dhaliwal. “The Canucks are not saying they’re not taking picks and prospects back for DeBrusk, but I think they do want a warm body back: a decent player under the age of 25.”
This may raise the hackles of many in the Canucks’ fan base, as it sounds awfully similar to things said during the Jim Benning era.
If the Canucks aren’t willing to trade DeBrusk for draft picks — and Henrik Sedin’s comments suggest that could be the case — then is that a major stumbling block for their chances of successfully rebuilding?
Should Canucks fans be concerned?
There’s a clear tolerance for short-term pain for long-term gain in the fan base right now. Whether or not the Canucks win games this season will have minimal effect on whether they become a Stanley Cup contender years from now.
What could have an effect on becoming a Cup contender is the potential star players who could be drafted with picks acquired via trade.
Of course, what the Canucks say publicly and what they actually do could differ.
The Sedins are not going to come out and say that they’re willing to trade all of their veterans at a time when they’re trying to get the entire roster to buy-in to the system and culture of the team. The last thing they need is a disgruntled veteran causing problems in the room.
How the Canucks should be judged is by their actions.
So far, those actions have suggested they’re taking the long view: an exceptionally long view, in fact.
General manager Ryan Johnson looked far into the future with one of his biggest trades, sending Marcus Pettersson to the New York Rangers for a first-round pick in 2030.
He also moved Nils Höglander for a third-round pick, and traded a 2026 draft pick for a higher pick in 2027.
From the few trades Johnson has made so far, there’s clearly a desire to add draft picks. He acquired players in just two trades: Brendan Gallagher for future considerations and a swap of young forwards in the Aatu Räty for Jacob Quillan trade.
So, before getting up in arms about what the Canucks have said, wait to see what they do.