Canucks Coffee: Can Jake DeBrusk embrace rebuild? 'My game doesn't fit'

Breadcrumb Trail Links

DeBrusk is probably a good trade fit for a veteran-laden team looking to become and remain a playoff contender.

Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Sign Up

Published Mar 03, 2026 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 4 minute read

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

alt text Jake DeBrusk of the Vancouver Canucks protects the puck from Jake Walman of the Edmonton Oilers Jan.17 at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain /Getty ImagesArticle content

There’s no ‘R’ word for successful NHL teams.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account

Article content

And the ‘R’ word is not in the sporting vernacular of veteran players. They know their career clocks are ticking, winning now means everything, and a roster rebuild can be difficult to embrace.

Article content

Jake DeBrusk knew the Boston Bruins were always committed to pushing the competitive envelope. Rebuilds were for other weak franchises. The Bruins never missed the playoffs in the seven seasons that DeBrusk wore the black and yellow and he logged 86 post-season games.

The Bruins did miss the post-season last spring for the first time in nine campaigns, but have rebounded and are in an Eastern Conference wild-card position. That resonates with the Vancouver Canucks winger.

“We had a core of guys there who were older and it was always about the Cup,” DeBrusk recalled Monday. “And it wasn’t just making the playoffs, that was the expectation. We did things a certain way and it worked.”

The last-place Canucks are committed to a rebuild and the rationale to accumulate draft picks through trades to get younger and eventually better is a prudent play, but it could take many years. It’s not for those who don’t have the patience, or a shorter runway before calling it a career.

Canucks Report

Thanks for signing up!

Article content

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“I think a rebuild is hard for every player, but at the same point it’s a great opportunity for younger guys,” said DeBrusk. “This game humbles everybody and it’s been a little bit more than humbling this year. Obviously, that (rebuild) is not something I would be okay with or accepting.

“My game doesn’t fit that.”

Jake DeBrusk celebrates after scoring for the Bruins in 2023-24. He led the club in playoff scoring that season. Photo by Winslow Townson /Getty Images

DeBrusk, 29, is struggling to score this season, and as the Friday trade deadline creeps closer, it’s not a stretch to suggest that he would waive his no-movement clause for a suitable relocation destination. He has four more years left on his deal at $5.5 million annually and is probably a good fit for a veteran-laden team looking to become and remain a playoff contender.

“You have to keep an open mind when you’re on a rebuilding team,” summed up DeBrusk. “You have to take some responsibility for it. If I played better and scored more goals maybe we’d be in a different position.”

DeBrusk led the Bruins in playoff scoring with 11 points (5-6) in 13 games in 2023-24. It’s part of what piqued the Canucks’ free-agency interest in landing a top-six winger. Especially after Jake Guentzel landed in Tampa Bay, Sam Reinhart remained in Florida and Tyler Toffoli chose San Jose.

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Debrusk did respond with a career 28-goal season here last season, but that seems so long ago.

He’s had a 10-game goal drought this campaign, was a healthy scratch Dec. 29 in Seattle, and hasn’t gathered a game predicated on getting to net and scoring or fishing for rebounds. He has just one goal in his last 17 outings after a 6-1 drubbing by the Dallas Stars on Monday.

And 11 of DeBrusk’s 13 goals have come on the power play, which speaks to not getting it done at even strength. That can lead to watching the game in the press box instead of playing it.

“It’s embarrassing,” DeBrusk said of the scratch. “I’d be wrong to say I wasn’t pissed off, but I understand I needed the jolt. Any time you’re in this position it’s a lot of things. I have to control what I can do and just worry about me.”

However, the scratch didn’t send a collective message or change direction for the Canucks. The losses simply kept piling up.

“I’ve said it since I’ve been here. I don’t care how I do as long as we’re winning and we haven’t been winning,” added DeBrusk. “I’ve learned a lot more about myself in some ways this year. Lots of ups and down and it’s more a mental thing. I don’t think anybody in this room thought we’d be in this position.

Advertisement 5

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“But that’s the reality.”

DeBrusk has never been traded at the NHL level. He was a dealt mid-season from the Swift Current Broncos to the juggernaut Red Deer Rebels in the 2015-16 WHL season. They advanced to the Memorial Cup under the guidance of no-nonsense head coach Brent Sutter.

“Old school. Hard-nosed.” chuckled DeBrusk, who had Brandon Hagel of the Tampa Bay Lightning as a linemate. “I respected that. He was up front and pretty honest and said what he expected out of you. Especially at that age (18).”

If DeBrusk needs a confidant to come to terms with this sorry season, he doesn’t have to look far. His father, Louie, was a hard-nosed winger for four NHL teams and racked up 1,161 penalty minutes in 401 career games. He’s become an excellent NHL television analyst and a voice of reason. What a resource.

“He’s huge,” said DeBrusk. “He was always fighting for his life and on one-year deals and got traded. Big-time perspective. There’s a lot of good in this game, a lot of things to be grateful for, and he tries to implement that in me because this is my first big test on other side of that coin.”

Canucks’ Elias Pettersson: ‘I haven’t lived up to expectations of the contract’

Canucks Trade Watch: Roster rebuild vital but who’s scoring? Does it matter?

Article content

Share this article in your social network

Canucks Coffee: Can Jake DeBrusk embrace rebuild? ‘My game doesn’t fit’

Tags: