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3 Canucks found on Matt Larkin’s latest NHL trade board

Photo credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images

By Tyson Cole

Nov 11, 2026, 14:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 11, 2026, 13:49 EST

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In his first edition of the 2027 NHL Trade Board, Daily Faceoff managing editor Matt Larkin compiled a list of 37 players, split into three different tiers. And three Vancouver Canucks find their names on this list.

As a refresher, here are the parameters Larkin outlined that helped him form this list:

(a) Intel provided freom various insiders appearing across our shows and/or publishing content for us from the Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, to the Sheet’s Jeff Marek, to DFO contributor Anthony Di Marco and more;
(b) My own information based on conversations I have around the league;
(c) Absorbing the exteneral reporting and trade chatter already out there as public knowledge;
(d) Hypothesizing a handful of names not yet publicly on the block.

Here are the three Canucks on Larkin’s trade board:

Drew O’Connor

Tier 1 – Obvious trade candidates

O’Connor, 28, is in the final year of a two-year, $2.5 million AAV contract he signed with the Canucks shortly after they acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This season has been a bit of a struggle for the New Jersey native, with just two goals and five points and a minus-10 rating in 20 games.

He has flashed his versatility this season, having played down the middle at points, but any team acquiring him would view him as a bottom-six winger on a contending team. O’Connor will have the final say, however, as his contract carries a 12-team no-trade clause.

Here are words from Larkin regarding O’Connor:

“There has to be a certain comfort in the Canucks knowing exactly who they are. They’re miles out of a playoff spot already. Their pending UFAs’ fates feel all but sealed. O’Connor will make plenty of sense to a playoff team as a fourth-line addition. He’s one of the fastest skaters in the league even at 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, he kills penalties, and he has a bit of scoring touch, with a respectable career high of 17 goals.”

Jake DeBrusk

Tier 2 – Names to keep an eye on

DeBrusk, 30, has been in the middle of trade discussions since last year’s NHL trade deadline. League sources believe DeBrusk would prefer a chance to play for a contender, even though the player has never officially requested a trade. If that desire is true, an official request may come at some point this season, while DeBrusk still has full control over the situation.

The Edmonton, Alberta native is in the third year of his seven-year contract he signed in free agency with the Canucks in 2025. This is also the final year that DeBrusk’s contract carries a full no-movement clause. On July 1, 2027, his contract clause shifts to a 15-team no-trade list.

His $5.5 million AAV is easily digestible for other NHL contenders cap-wise, but elevating his play would certainly help accelerate a trade. DeBrusk has five goals and 10 points in 18 games this season, but finds himself in the midst of a slump, with two goals – both coming in the same game – in his last 13 games.

Here are words from Larkin regarding DeBrusk:

“A DeBrusk trade makes more sense now than it did a year ago. The Canucks are in true scorched-earth mode, and DeBrusk is under contract with them until he’s 34. Does he want to burn the good years he has left on a team that looks years away from the playoffs? Maybe that NMC isn’t so ironclad. His cap hit relative to his production is now pretty palatable, too. A $5.5-million AAV in 2027-28, when the cap will be $113.5 million, is the same as a $4.26-million cap hit in 2024-25, the year DeBrusk’s deal began.”

Elias Pettersson

Tier 3 – Big names, blockbuster potential, too soon

It seems like low-hanging fruit to include Pettersson on any trade list considering the noise around the player over the last two seasons, but given his start to this year, there should be a lot more interest around the league.

Pettersson, 27, has bounced back to a point-per-game pace, with four goals and 20 points in 20 games this season. He is also being utilized as the team’s top forward, averaging 20:33 minutes per night, playing on the power play, penalty kill, and a matchup role at 5v5.

With five more seasons at an $11.6 million cap hit, that’s a pretty penny to pay. But even if the Canucks found a trade partner at this point of the season who could stomach his entire cap hit, Pettersson holds all the cards with a full no-movement clause throughout the entirety of the contract. So far, there’s been no indication that Pettersson wants to leave Vancouver. But does all this losing eventually add up and make him change his mind?

Here are words from Larkin regarding Pettersson:

“Still a chunky cap hit to move relative to his production, even in the rising-cap world, but he’s having a much better year so far. At least, the surface numbers say that. The Canucks might be wise to sell high.”

To see Larkin’s full trade board, click here!

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