There is truth in advertising.
When Jake DeBrusk joined the Vancouver Canucks in free agency last summer, his biggest supporter and constant confidant banged the drum about the big winger’s potential with a fresh start in a new city.
It’s what you expect from his father, Louie DeBrusk, a former NHL grinder and a Sportsnet and Hockey Night In Canada analyst.
“The guy is a hound,” DeBrusk told this reporter of his son’s upside. “He’s not easy to play against, he tracks back, blocks shots, and can play the penalty kill and power play. The most important thing is the kid is a finisher. Jake brings energy and a lot of speed, and when he’s buzzing he’ll take over a line.”
Or a game.
In that respect, the elder DeBrusk’s summation was bang on. However, he could have added a streaky-scorer disclaimer.
DeBrusk, 28, bagged a career-high 28 goals in 2024-2025, with 14 on the power play, which ranked fifth in the NHL. He also struck for 19 road goals, which was 10th overall, and had a pair of hat-tricks. His 16.4 per cent shooting accuracy was third on a team that couldn’t finish, with a 23rd ranking of just 2.84 goals per outing.
DeBrusk scored 12 of his goals with a wrist shot, five with a snapshot and two with a backhand, which showed versatility. And if the Canucks expect a season of redemption and return to the playoffs, they can’t be missing the net and must show more moxie on home ice.
Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk gets first pumps after scoring against the Avalanche on Feb. 4, 2025 at Rogers Arena.
The team stumbled out of the gate last season at Rogers Arena and were 3-5-3 after 11 dates. They won two straight in Vancouver on just two occasions, and finished at 17-16-8. Minnesota and St.Louis claimed the final two Western Conference wild-card playoff berths with 23-13-5 and 24-14-3 home marks respectively.
While DeBrusk had a season to remember, he scored just nine times at home as the Canucks fell seven points short of the postseason. A few more wins at Rogers Arena and they would have been in. That should stick in the craw. And with two of their first three games next season at home, they need an early swagger.
As for DeBrusk, what can he do for an encore? Consistency is key to get to the next competitive level. He’s already a salary-cap bargain with seven years left at $5.5 million US in annual average value, but there’s always room to improve.
DeBrusk didn’t score in his first nine games last season. He struck in the next three, then went six games without a goal before erupting for nine in his next seven outings. That was followed by no goals in 11 games, one in a dozen games, and striking for three goals in his final four games.
So, what’s the key to snapping slumps and being an every-night threat?
“Be patient. Don’t let it get in your head,” he suggested. “I need to take more control with body position and stop guessing where the puck is going to go.”
DeBrusk is adept at getting to the net to set screens, tip pucks and get rebounds. He’s also quick enough to hound the opposition. He could add another dimension by winning corner-board battles and taking a direct route to the net to either shoot or set up a linemate.
“I have to generate more chaos, but feel like I have just been waiting around,” he admitted last season. “I’m done with that.”
The 6-foot-1, 198-pound Edmonton native was third in hits among club forwards last season with 96, but DeBrusk’s open-ice collisions in the neutral zone don’t matter as much as bravado toward the net. It’s what the Canucks were banking on last season and hope to see if they return to the playoffs.
DeBrusk led the Boston Bruins in 2024 postseason scoring with 11 points (5-6) in 13 games, and the club’s 14th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft was second in hits with 53.
Today’s game is played down low. It’s mosh-pits of establishing position and fishing for loose pucks. It’s also top snipers playing on the outside but knowing when to get inside. You can’t be stagnate. It’s read and react.
There is reason for optimism in the top-six mix with how the offseason has played out.
Evander Kane was acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers because it appeared Brock Boeser was going elsewhere in free agency. And with a year left on his deal at $5.125 million, the Canucks are counting on a healthy Kane responding with incentive to earn another contract while playing at home.
The Canucks can now deploy two credible lines, and Kane could hit 30 goals for the third time in his career. Expect Boeser to bag at least that many, if he stays away from ailments. Same for DeBrusk.
Kane could be a candidate to drive play and open space for Elias Pettersson and Boeser, while DeBrusk moves well enough to align with Filip Chytil and Conor Garland to attack off the rush, if the Canucks don’t land a support centre via trade or free agency.
The Canucks also stack up well physically on the left side and should be harder to play against with Kane, DeBrusk and Drew O’Connor. And if they hound, all the better.