‘It’s embarrassing’: Canucks’ Jake DeBrusk reacts to upcoming healthy scratch
On Sunday, the Vancouver Canucks took to the ice at Rogers Arena for a practice after falling 6-3 to the San Jose Sharks the night before. We’ll go over line rushes and things of that nature in Scenes from Morning Skate in the coming hours, but there’s one major story that broke at today’s session that requires individual attention: Jake DeBrusk is set to be a healthy scratch for the Canucks’ Monday night matchup with the Seattle Kraken.
DeBrusk skated as the extra forward in line rushes, and after practice, Canucks head coach Adam Foote confirmed that DeBrusk would be the odd-man out tomorrow night.
“We had a good talk with Jake,” Foote said after practice. “He had a lot going well for him, just couldn’t get it in, and then he’s been a little bit stale as far as chances 5v5. I think it’s going to be a good reset for him.”
DeBrusk met with the media after practice and spoke candidly about the decision.
“It’s embarrassing,” said DeBrusk. “I mean, anytime you miss a game, it’s, yeah, it’s embarrassing. I’d be wrong if I wasn’t saying I’d be pissed off right now, but I understand. And I need a jolt too, I obviously haven’t been good enough. Anytime that you’re in this position, it’s lots of things. So, you know, I gotta control what I can do from this point forward and just worry about me. I think there’s a lot of different things. The good thing about this situation, in my previous times being scratched, you have a clean slate. So I care less about what has happened.”
DeBrusk, who is in year two of a seven-year deal with the Canucks worth $5.5 million annually, has scored just one goal at even-strength this season. Eight of his nine goals have come on the power play, and DeBrusk knows that 5v5 production isn’t good enough.
“I’ve been known my whole career as a 5-on-5 contributor and it hasn’t come. It’s been probably the most frustrating year of my career by far. So, I mean, eventually you just gotta do the right things, gotta do the right details, gotta get to your landmarks, get back to your ABCs. I think that’s what this is about too, for me. And eventually they’ll go in. Usually I have a hot streak, but it seems like this year there probably isn’t gonna be one. So you just gotta be more consistent day in, day out. You gotta be mature in this spot. You gotta be a pro and, you know, hope the guys can pull out a win.”
DeBrusk added that while he’s shocked to find himself a scratch, he can understand the thinking behind it.
“I mean, it’s pretty black and white, but yeah, it’s always a surprise, it’s always a shock. But I think that’s just the nature of the beast, you know, I think every time someone gets scratched it’s a shock. But I kind of understood the reasons why, and I think that in itself makes you look in the mirror, and now, as I said earlier, it’s just about playing my game when I’m back.”
One final side note: Massive credit goes out to DeBrusk for facing the music and talking so openly about his feelings towards the scratch. Plenty of players would have refused to speak on a day like today, but DeBrusk stood in there and gave thoughtful and honest answers. He deserves credit for that.
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