Canucks listening on DeBrusk, Pettersson — The Fourth Period

TORONTO, ON — The Vancouver Canucks are open for business and new GM Ryan Johnson is eager to propel the club’s rebuild into overdrive.

Johnson and the Canucks have been taking care of housekeeping, re-signing multiple players to two-way contracts, but bigger fireworks are expected and some may come later this month.

It is no secret that forward Jake DeBrusk wants no part of a rebuild and is open to a change of scenery. He has made that abundantly clear to the organization and while a formal trade demand hasn’t been made, both parties are on the same page, and Johnson has received calls about the 29-year-old since taking over.

DeBrusk is entering the third season of a seven-year, $38.5 million contract. He owns a full no-movement clause and has a significant say in where he will end up, once dealt.

There is believed to be interest in DeBrusk from several teams, including the Ottawa Senators, Seattle Kraken, Winnipeg Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets, and trade discussions are expected to intensify in the days leading up to next week’s NHL Draft.

Beyond DeBrusk, the Canucks have multiple pieces they are willing to take calls on, but none would steal the spotlight if a trade were to occur more than centre Elias Pettersson.

The 27-year-old’s name has resurfaced in the trade market more consistently lately and there is a growing belief across the NHL that Vancouver’s firm stance against retaining on Pettersson’s contract has somewhat softened. That’s not to say the Canucks are willing to eat a big chunk of his $11.6 million AAV, but if that number drops to $8.6 million, does that help push a trade across the finish line?

Daniel and Henrik Sedin and the Canucks want to work with Pettersson to get him back on track, and that would certainly prop up his trade value, which is (Captain Obvious statement incoming…) far from high at the moment. But some teams are poking around again and Johnson will listen.