2025-26 Vancouver Canucks report cards: Jake DeBrusk – Hockey Writers – Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks’ 2025-26 campaign will likely be remembered more for what went wrong than what went right. In a season where the team underwent seismic changes – heralded by the departure of captain Quinn Hughes – individual performances were often swallowed up by the weight of the team during the transition. Among those under the microscope was Jake DeBrusk. Entering the second year of his seven-year commitment to the club, the Edmonton-born player found himself in a strange place: a veteran on a team suddenly facing a distant future.

2025-26 Performance

DeBrusk’s season has been a tale of two areas: the power play and everything else. In human interest, he was an important cog in the machine. His ability to find space in the slot and capitalize on rebounds remained at a high level, accounting for nearly 80% of his total goals this season. When the Canucks had an extra man, DeBrusk looked like the 30-goal threat the front office saw when they signed him in the summer of 2024. However, for much of the winter, he struggled to drive plays when the sides were evenly matched, leading to a huge difference in his impact between the first and second half of the season.

The narrative of his performance changed dramatically during the last six weeks. After a mid-winter cold that saw him go weeks without a strong goal, DeBrusk ignited a hot streak to close out the program. During this period, he scored nine times in the last 13 games. This latest surgery allowed him to finish the season with 23 goals and 19 assists – numbers that look much better on paper than his game felt in January. While his plus/minus ratio remains a concern due to the erosion of the team’s overall defense, that last month showed a high level of finishing ability that makes him a divisive yet effective asset.

Impact on the Canucks

DeBrusk’s most important contribution this season was his role on the power play. At a time when the Canucks’ man-advantage unit has often looked stagnant following the loss of its primary distributor, DeBrusk has provided a much-needed net-front presence and relief valve in the bigs. His hand-eye coordination allows the team to save points in games where they were losing strongly. By establishing himself as a constant threat in the most dangerous areas, he forced opposing penalty kills to fall inside, which opened up important shooting lanes for smaller defenders trying to find their footing on the blue line.

The impact of his hot late season play cannot be overstated on a locker room that was looking for a silver lining. By getting his scoring touches in March and April, DeBrusk took a lot of pressure off young players who were thrust into higher roles. His surgery helped the Canucks stay competitive in games they may have had no business doing, providing a much-needed boost to fans tired of the rebuilding narrative. Despite his early season struggles, that last push proved he can still be an offensive engine when he finds his rhythm, even if it was too late to save the season.

The Future and the Team

The most pressing question surrounding DeBrusk is where he fits into the “New Era” Canucks. With five years left on a $5.5 million contract, he is a valuable investment for a team that appears to be entering a complete rebuild.

Crossroads managers. DeBrusk is 29 years old — in his prime — and has many of the skills that contending teams covet: a left-handed hitter who can score 25 goals and play on a top power-play team. If the Canucks intend to move down completely to increase their draft position in 2027, DeBrusk becomes the first trade chip. However, if they hope to make a quick turnaround, his veteran experience and power play utility are assets they may want to keep to help protect incoming prospects like Braeden Cootes or whoever they pick high in the 2026 Draft. Given the franchise’s current trajectory, don’t be surprised if his name dominates the rumor mill in the offseason and possibly next year’s trade deadline.

Overall Grade: B-

While his midseason absence was troubling, it’s hard to ignore a 25-point midfielder on a struggling team. DeBrusk’s hot season has saved what was prone to a disappointing streak, proving that he still has the type of a winner if he believes in himself.

DeBrusk did exactly what he was paid to do on the power play, and his final scoring total stayed in line with what he’s done throughout his career: a reliable 20-goal scorer. However, his defensive metrics and long invisibility range keep him in the “A” grade. DeBrusk remains a valuable NHLer and a reliable secondary scorer, but the Canucks (and the league for that matter) are still waiting for him to consistently provide that production over a full 82-game calendar.

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