The Vancouver Canucks are already standing out as clear sellers this season.
It is not difficult to understand why, as the Canucks are in the middle of a rebuild and have traded several of their former key players since last season. They have also been struggling immensely out of the gate, as they have a 3-12-1 record. They have also won only one of their last 13 games, so they are experiencing a brutal stretch.
Now, as the Canucks continue to struggle, two of their top players are making chatter as potential trade candidates.
This is because Canucks star forwards Jake DeBrusk and Elias Pettersson were among the players listed on Lyle Richardson's latest trade board for Bleacher Report.
DeBrusk was given the No. 10 spot on Richardson's trade board. It is understandable, as DeBrusk has been heavily discussed as a trade candidate since last season. He also previously expressed frustration about playing on a rebuilding team, and that only fueled speculation about his future in Vancouver.
Pettersson, on the other hand, was ranked at the No. 15 spot on Richardson's trade board. Like DeBrusk, Pettersson has been a very popular name in the rumor mill for a long time now. The 27-year-old would benefit from a fresh start and could be a strong pickup for a playoff team that needs help at the center position.
Looking at DeBrusk & Pettersson as Canucks trade candidates
DeBrusk has the potential to be a solid trade chip for the Canucks this season. The 2015 first-round pick has shown throughout his career that he can provide solid secondary scoring. Thus, teams looking for help in their middle six could be willing to pay a nice price to land a scorer like DeBrusk.
DeBrusk has appeared in 14 games this season, where he has three goals and eight points. This is after he had 23 goals and 42 points in 81 games during the 2025-26 campaign. With numbers like these, he should generate some interest this season. This is especially so when noting that he has a reasonable $5.5 million cap hit through the 2030-31 season.
As for Pettersson, he is showing signs of his previous star form this season. Despite the Canucks' poor start to the season, he has recorded four goals and 16 points in 16 games this campaign.
If Pettersson continues to stay hot, his trade value could skyrocket as the season rolls on. Teams looking for a top-six center could pursue him if he continues to play well, even if he has an $11.6 million cap hit through 2031-32.
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