Jake DeBrusk was the biggest signing of free agency for the Vancouver Canucks. He also came with big expectations. The former Boston Bruin signed a seven-year contract worth 5.5 million dollars per season. It was reported that the Canucks were interested in signing Jake Guentzel but given the price, opted for the cheaper option in DeBrusk. Unfortunately, DeBrusk’s struggling start is another storyline in this season.
Jake DeBrusk’s Struggling Start
Eight games into the season, DeBrusk has not scored a goal yet. Goals are what he is best known for and has scored 138 in his career so far. All DeBrusk has are four assists. He has had some looks on goal, but none have gone in. One of his best looks was this deflection during Monday night’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
DeBrusk has played with several linemates in the young season so far. They are J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Daniel Sprong and his former teammate in Boston, Danton Heinen. During Tuesday’s practice, DeBrusk was put on the second line with Miller and Brock Boeser. So far this season, those two have been the best Canucks forwards.
DeBrusk Struggling from Not Generating Enough Chances
The big reason why DeBrusk isn’t scoring is very simple. He is not generating enough chances. According to NaturalStatTrick, his Corsi For percentage (47.72%) is the second lowest among Canucks forwards at 5 on 5. However, when he does generate chances, they are dangerous. It turns out, that DeBrusk is tied for third among Vancouver forwards in high-danger chances for (24). He is tied with Conor Garland and only Miller and Boeser are ahead of him.
DeBrusk has a 5 on 5 expected goals rate of 4.61 which is sixth on the team. It is not like DeBrusk has played extremely poorly. He does a good job of carrying the puck into the offensive zone and does well battling for the puck. However, there needs to be more offensive production from the Canucks big signing.
DeBrusk Expects More from Himself
It is no secret that DeBrusk is also disappointed with his slow start. “I would like to get on the board,” said DeBrusk in an interview with Daily Hive’s Noah Strang on Monday. “I got a couple of greasy assists in there but I haven’t really played my game. It is just seven or eight games in, but I’m pretty hard on myself.”
Coming into a new environment also is playing a factor in his slow start. After seven seasons with the Bruins, it is a new city, new teammates and a new system for DeBrusk. “Coming into it cold turkey, I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said. “There’s some similarities to Boston, but I think that there’s probably more differences. But you look at the similarities, you try to take some comfort in it.” “It’s still kind of weird coming to the rink… it takes some time. I was with Boston since 2015… that’s the only thing I really knew, but I understood there were going to be some hiccups along the way.”
DeBrusk is Historically a Streaky Forward so the Jury is Still Out
DeBrusk is notoriously known for being a hot and cold player. He has gone on long cold streaks but can also look like an unstoppable offensive force. Last season, it took nine games for DeBrusk to get his first goal. That was the only goal he had in 16 games last season. October isn’t a kind month to him.
He scored a total of 19 goals last season. After zero in October, he scored four in November, two in December, six in January, one in February, five in March and one in April. DeBrusk then had five goals in 13 playoff games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.
It is going to take some time for the Canucks winger. It is frustrating that DeBrusk struggles to score consistently. However, Canucks fans shouldn’t judge him too harshly yet. Once he gets one, he probably won’t stop scoring for a bit.
