The Penguins should consider making a push for Jake DeBrusk this off-season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins should be looking to add to their roster after a successful 2025-26 season. One area that they could aim to improve is their forward group, as they could use another scoring winger. This would only be more of the case if pending UFA Anthony Mantha signs elsewhere this off-season.
One way that the Penguins could bring in a scoring winger is through the trade market. Among the top trade candidates who Pittsburgh would be wise to kick tires on is Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk.
With the Canucks rebuilding, questions about DeBrusk's future in Vancouver have come up since before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. With the Canucks trading players like Quinn Hughes, Conor Garland, Tyler Myers, and Kiefer Sherwood this season, it would not be surprising if DeBrusk got moved this summer.
If the Penguins acquired DeBrusk, he would be a nice addition to their top nine. Furthermore, due to his offensive ability, he would give the Penguins another valuable forward to work with on their power play.
DeBrusk appeared in 81 games this season with the Canucks, where he had a team-best 23 goals and recorded 42 points. He has also scored at least 23 goals in four out of his last five seasons.
DeBrusk's contract also adds to his appeal, as he has a reasonable $5.5 million cap hit through 2030-31. With this, he would be a solid long-term pickup for the Penguins as they continue to focus on both the present and the future.