The Ottawa Senators’ GM Steve Staios has identified a clear target for this summer: a top-six forward. Reports from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen suggest that the Senators are heavily checking in on Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk.
With draft weekend rapidly approaching, rumours connecting the two Canadian clubs are picking up steam. DeBrusk is coming off a 23-goal campaign while also hitting the 20-goal mark five separate times, Which is something that the Senators need in their top six: more reliable scoring.
DeBrusk’s availability is no surprise. The Canucks finished at the very bottom of the league standings, and the organization is now locked into a full, long-overdue rebuild. New general manager Ryan Johnson has taken over the front office and is completely stripping the roster down to the studs. It appears that he is highly motivated to move the remaining five years of DeBrusk's $5.5 million annual cap hit. Reports indicate that Vancouver isn't looking for a big return, as clearing long-term money is the top priority.
Here is how a potential swap could look.
Senators & Canucks Mock Trade
- Ottawa Senators receive: LW Jake DeBrusk
- Vancouver Canucks receive: 2026 3rd-round pick (via Florida), 2027 4th-round pick (OTT), RW Oskar Pettersson
For the Senators, the deal makes a ton of sense. They would be getting a top-six forward who can score for a cheaper price. DeBrusk wouldn't be expected to carry the franchise. Instead, he would slide right into a highly talented top-six mix alongside premier point producers like Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, and Brady Tkachuk. Financially, Ottawa currently has roughly $17 million in available salary cap space. They can easily absorb DeBrusk’s entire contract without demanding that Vancouver retain any of his salary.
From the Canucks' perspective, keeping an unhappy veteran winger on the roster during a total reset serves no purpose. By making the trade, Vancouver moves a massive financial obligation off their books, giving them a clean slate to weaponize cap space down the road. In return, they bring back a valuable future asset in Florida's 2026 third-round draft pick, add a 2027 fourth-round selection to their cupboards, and land 22-year-old Swedish forward Oskar Pettersson, a smart, hard-working prospect who fits perfectly into a long-term developmental timeline.
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