Canucks: What can Jake DeBrusk do after career season? Be more of a hound

National Post

6 days ago

There is truth in advertising.
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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.
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It's what you expect from his father, Louie DeBrusk, a former NHL grinder and a Sportsnet and Hockey Night In Canada analyst.
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'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.'
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Or a game.
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In that respect, the elder DeBrusk's summation was bang on. However, he could have added a streaky-scorer disclaimer.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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'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.'