DeBrusk's stance on the Canucks' rebuild: 'Not my cup of tea'
Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk made it clear on Monday that he's not keen on sticking around during the team's impending rebuild. The 29-year-old winger, who has 13 goals and 29 points in 59 games this season, is under contract until 2030-31 with a $5.5 million cap hit.
In an interview with the Vancouver Province, DeBrusk shared his thoughts on the situation: "A rebuild is challenging for any player, but it's a golden opportunity for the younger guys. This game teaches everyone humility, and it's been an eye-opening experience this year. I won't lie, I'm not thrilled about the prospect of a rebuild. My playing style doesn't align with that approach."
The Canucks are in a tough spot, sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings and gearing up for a long-term overhaul after trading away star defenseman and captain Quinn Hughes earlier in the season. TSN Hockey Insiders Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger have suggested that defenseman Filip Hronek might be the only player off-limits during the rebuild.
DeBrusk's name has been floating around in trade discussions, as he was recently ranked 31st on the TSN Trade Bait board, alongside other Canucks players like Brock Boeser and Conor Garland, who signed new deals on July 1. DeBrusk's frustration is evident: "I've been vocal about it since I joined the team. I don't care about personal performance as long as we're winning, and we haven't been winning. This year has been a rollercoaster, both physically and mentally. No one expected us to be in this position."
Despite his struggles, DeBrusk had a career-high 28 goals and 48 points in 82 games during his first season with the Canucks. He's a seasoned player with 179 goals and 343 points in 606 games across the NHL, including his time with the Boston Bruins.
