Why Jake DeBrusk might be another trade target for Ottawa Senators

Jake DeBrusk has scored 20 goals or more in four of the last five seasons. Photo by C. Morgan Engel /Getty Images

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Two league sources told the Ottawa Citizen in the last 24 hours that they believe the Senators are among a group of teams that have shown interest in Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk, who has scored 20 goals or more in four of the last five seasons.

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The 29-year-old DeBrusk, who has spent the last two seasons with the Canucks, has five years left on a deal that pays him $5.5 million per season, but he’d be a good fit for the Senators, who are looking for a forward to help bolster the club’s top six group.

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He signed a seven-year, $38.5 million deal with the Canucks in July 2024, but the landscape within the organization has changed. The front office trio of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, along with general manager Ryan Johnson, has determined that the club will undergo a full rebuild.

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Reports out of Vancouver indicate that DeBrusk isn’t thrilled with the idea of being part of a complete teardown.

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“We had a core of guys who were older, and it was always about the Cup,” DeBrusk told Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province after the NHL trade deadline in March. “A rebuild is hard for every player, but it’s a great opportunity for younger guys.

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“This game humbles everybody, and it’s been a little bit more than humbling this year. Obviously, that (rebuild) is not something I would be OK with or accepting.”

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Not the only name on the list

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The Citizen reported on Tuesday that Steve Staios, the Senators’ president of hockey operations and general manager, spent a lot of time at the National Hockey League Draft Combine in Buffalo last week, meeting with his counterparts and player agents to discuss possible changes.

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The Ottawa Senators have a level of interest in the Anaheim Ducks’ Mason McTavish. Photo by Greg Southam /Postmedia

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The belief is that the Senators’ off-season priorities include a top-six forward, a top-four right-shot defenceman and a backup goalie. That doesn’t mean Staios plans to change his whole roster, but these are areas where the organization wants to improve, externally or internally.

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We’ve also reported that the Senators have a level of interest in Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks and Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues. The belief is that the latter wouldn’t waive his full no-move clause (NMC) to come to Ottawa, so that option would be doubtful.

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The Citizen reported on May 30 that the Senators have held talks with the Ducks regarding McTavish. The 23-year-old was a healthy scratch in the playoffs, and Staios has a history with McTavish from their days together with the Ontario Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs.

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The Philadelphia Flyers have also been linked to McTavish, who has five years left on a deal that will pay him $7 million a year.

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But the Senators and any other suitors for McTavish would have to be willing to pay a high price, including a first-round pick and someone who can help the Ducks immediately, although the term and money left on McTavish’s contract may lower the asking price a bit.