Jake DeBrusk, the forward who signed with the Vancouver Canucks ahead of the 2024-25 season, will miss his first game on Monday as a healthy scratch against the Seattle Kraken. This marks a notable shift for DeBrusk, who has been a consistent presence in Vancouver since joining the team.
Canucks coach Adam Foote expressed that the decision is not meant as a punishment, but rather a chance for DeBrusk to reset. “I think it’s going to be a good reset for him,” Foote remarked to reporters on Sunday.
Despite his frustrations, DeBrusk acknowledged the decision, stating, “It’s embarrassing… I’d be wrong if I wasn’t saying I’d be pissed off right now, but I understand.” He reflected on his performance, admitting that he hasn’t met the expectations and described the year as one of the most challenging of his career. “I’ve been known my whole career as a 5-on-5 contributor and it hasn’t come,” he noted.
In his first season with the Canucks, DeBrusk has recorded nine goals in 37 games, with only one of those goals coming at even strength. This statistic reflects a struggle for the talented forward, who has previously been scratched by his former coach, Jim Montgomery, early in a season due to disciplinary reasons and also faced similar circumstances under Bruce Cassidy during the 2020-21 season.
Looking ahead, it’s uncertain when DeBrusk will return to action. However, Foote remains optimistic about his ability to rebound from this setback, believing that the opportunity to step back and reassess could ultimately benefit the player. “Sometimes, it’s good to sit back and rest that brain and come back in,” Foote added.
As DeBrusk navigates this phase, there’s a hopeful outlook that this time away from the ice will provide him with the perspective needed to reignite his performance and contribute positively to the Canucks’ lineup moving forward.