Oilers Should Target Canucks’ DeBrusk This Offseason

DeBrusk, who is 29 years old, was born in Edmonton. Last season, he scored 23 goals and added 19 assists for 42 points through 81 games on the last place Vancouver Canucks. Throughout his career, he has scored 189 goals and added 167 assists for 356 points through 628 games, which comes out to a 0.57 points-per-game average.

DeBrusk has a $5.5 million cap hit, and is extended through the 2030-31 season, and he has a no-movement clause, meaning he would have to approve any trade that comes his way. However, DeBrusk could benefit from a fresh start, and would likely be open to joining the team that he grew up watching, and a team that’s currently contending.

DeBrusk Brings High-Danger Offensive Production

Fans will immediately look at DeBrusk’s production and notice that 19 of his 23 goals last season were on the power play, and considering the Oilers have one of the most lethal power plays in the league already, it may seem like there is no reason to bring him in.

However, there are a couple of reasons that shouldn’t be an issue. First off, DeBrusk gets to high-danger spots in the offensive zone better than a majority of the league. In fact, according to NHL Edge, DeBrusk led the league in high-danger shots on goal, with 121 last season.

Second, the Oilers have needed to find a way to get a strong second power play unit going, and bringing in a power play specialist like DeBrusk allows them to do that. On top of that, if anyone on the first unit goes down for whatever reason, DeBrusk can be trusted to take that spot and find ways to produce.

Debrusk’s Analytics Are Solid

DeBrusk’s defensive numbers aren’t fantastic, but his overall analytics are solid.

On a terrible team, anyone’s stats are bound to look worse, but he was able to play well enough that, they don’t look terrible.

Take a look at his player card from JFreshHockey:

His even strength offence and power play numbers immediately jump out as impressive. Overall, he has some room for improvement, but for a player that can score almost at will and wouldn’t break the bank, he would be a solid target for any team.

DeBrusk Has Become Underrated

At this point, fans see a struggling player who was healthy scratched at one point by the Canucks last season, and immediately think he has an albatross contract that nobody in the league will touch. However, DeBrusk is still scoring at a good rate, especially considering how bad the Canucks were last season.

Right now, DeBrusk has become underrated. He is on a solid contract, and with the cap going up, it justifies trading for him even more. He can still produce offensively at an effective rate, and he is someone who could be a perfect buy-low candidate for the Oilers.

With trade protection, the Canucks don’t have much leverage in trade talks, and may have to settle for less than what he would get if he was able to be traded anywhere in the league. Realistically, a prospect, an NHL-ready veteran, and a mid-round draft pick should get a deal done. For example, Mattias Janmark, Alec Regula, and the Oilers’ 2028 third-round pick.

At only $5.5 million annually, DeBrusk brings enough to the table to justify trading for him. He has some speed, he can get to high-danger areas, and he is willing to play physical if that is what is needed to win.

If DeBrusk joined the Oilers and played in their top-six forward group, alongside either one of McDavid or Draisaitl, his even strength production would rise. McDavid is the best in the world at finding players and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, and if someone can get to a scoring area, McDavid will find them.

Considering how good DeBrusk is at getting to those high-danger scoring areas, the Oilers should be all over him. Not only does he have an affordable contract, but he likely wouldn’t cost a lot in a trade either. Bringing him in adds much needed scoring, and if the Oilers can clear some cap space this summer, one of their first moves should be to bring in DeBrusk.

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