Jake DeBrusk still wants out of Vancouver, and that's an awkward backdrop for a Canucks team heading into tonight's game in San Jose.
David Pagnotta reported Wednesday on DFO Insider that the forward's mindset hasn't changed. He'd still like to be moved out and land with a contender.
Contender is the key word. Vancouver is 3-10-1 and sits eighth in the Pacific, so DeBrusk isn't finding what he wants by staying put.
It's been ugly for weeks. The Canucks went 1-8-1 over their last 10, and Tuesday's 6-5 overtime win in Anaheim snapped a nine-game winless run.
The real damage is on the other side of the puck. Vancouver has allowed 65 goals, 14 more than any other team in the league.
The forward's own production has cooled off too. He's been held scoreless over his last five games, with 3 assists in that stretch.
Across 12 games, he has 8 points. That's fine, but it isn't the kind of number that sends contenders sprinting to the phone.
David Pagnotta: Re Jake DeBrusk future/Canucks: His mindset hasn't changed, he still would like to be moved out of there and go to a contender - DFO Insider (10/28)
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The Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche are five potential destinations worth considering if DeBrusk wants a contender.
His scoring ability could make him an option for a team seeking another winger, though fitting his $5,500,000 cap hit would be a key hurdle. These are speculative fits: Pagnotta's update does not identify any of the five as actively pursuing him.
Canucks' Jake DeBrusk still wants a trade to a contender, reports David Pagnotta
Ryan Johnson is the one who has to make this call. The Canucks GM has a veteran angling for a contender and a standings position that screams seller.
So what does the market look like? Trade talk in this spot works like selling a house in a cold market, where everybody knows you need to move and the buyers set the price.
And the price tag cuts both ways. DeBrusk carries a $5,500,000 cap hit, a real number for any contender trying to fit him under the ceiling.
Vancouver should take the best offer anyway. Holding a 30-year-old who'd rather be elsewhere on a team that's 1-5-0 at home doesn't fix anything in that locker room.
There's a younger group to think about too. Jonathan Lekkerimaki leads the Canucks with 6 goals at 22 years old.
Every minute that goes to a veteran with one foot out the door is a minute that could go to Liam Ohgren, who has 2 goals over his last 5 games.
The crease isn't giving this group much of a chance either. Kevin Lankinen carries an .807 save percentage through 8 appearances.
The Canucks are in San Jose tonight, and this story will follow them into every rink until Johnson makes a move. Or until a contender makes the first call.
Should the Canucks move Jake DeBrusk now, even if it means taking a discount?
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Dylan Larkin trade talks advance; Marco D'Amico flags Wild, Capitals and Hurricanes
