NHL Free Agency: Canucks tried to hit a grand slam, hope Jake ...

DeBrusk led the Bruins in playoff scoring to prove he can deliver when time and space are at a premium and testosterone levels rise

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Published Jul 01, 2024  •  Last updated 2 minutes ago  •  5 minute read

Big winger Jake DeBrusk can play with speed, put up points and play with an edge. He'll be a good fit with Elias Pettersson. Photo by Greg Southam /Greg Southam

One by one, the free-agency dominoes fell in the wrong direction for the Vancouver Canucks.

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The quest for an elite top-six winger tuned into shopping elsewhere Monday after Jake Guentzel landed in Tampa Bay, Sam Reinhart remained in Florida and Tyler Toffoli chose San Jose.

The Canucks were prepared to offer term and salary to acquire Guentzel — especially with the hockey operations department’s past Pittsburgh connection — but Florida’s no-tax advantage won out for Tampa.

So, Plan A, B and C turned into Plan D in Jake DeBrusk. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s actually good.

After all, the winger has the size, pedigree and some bite that will resonate with Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. And Pettersson now has a potential linemate after DeBrusk agreed to a seven-year contract Monday with an annual average value of US$5.5 million.

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It proved to be a productive first day of free agency for the Canucks to address some needs.

They added depth wingers Kiefer Sherwood, Danton Heinen and Nate Smith along with defenceman Derek Forbort and goaltender Jiri Patera.

DeBrusk, 27, is coming off a 40-point season (19-21) with the Boston Bruins and the 6-foot-1, 198-pound Edmonton native has scored 27 goals on two occasions and 25 once. In the 2023-24 playoffs, the 14th overall selection in the 2015 NHL draft added 11 points (5-6) in 13 games to show he can deliver when time and space are at a premium and the testosterone rises.

Consistency is the big challenge for DeBrusk and that shouldn’t be a problem with Tocchet calling the shots.

“There are lots of things that go into it and you get to play with Pettersson or (J.T) Miller and it’s a team that’s ready to win and a city that’s ready to win,” DeBrusk told TSN. “Vancouver really pushed hard and really wanted me. I’m very confident and very excited.”

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On a Zoom call, DeBrusk went into greater detail about his game, aspirations and a special connection with his dad, Louie, a former grinding and tough NHL winger and former teammate of Tocchet in Phoenix.

“I’ve been overwhelmed and I can’t wait to get to the city and I feel very honoured,” started DeBrusk. “I like the way they play. Hard to play against and that gives me confidence with the system and the biggest thing is to see the centres they have. It’s a great opportunity for me. Lots of punch there.

“And with the steps they took this year in getting to a Game 7, I’ve been there and understand that and getting a taste of that really helps a team grow. Last year, I took good steps in the defensive side of my game as speed is one of my best attributes. And overall, it’s my consistency. I know it’s a thing a lot of people like to talk about.

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“My habits are something I’ll be very focused on.”

The Bruins had the sixth-ranked power play this season and the Canucks could use another element for their units that struggled in the post-season in going just 5-for-36.

“There are lots of weapons in different places and I played on both units and was back on the first in the playoffs,” said DeBrusk. “I usually played net front and a little bit on the half wall and sometimes the bumper. I’m versatile and can help out in different ways.”

Motivation won’t be a problem. Tocchet made Dakota Joshua a more complete and consistent player.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things and there are obviously connections with my dad and he coaches for that extra effort and execution. I thrive on that,” stressed DeBrusk. “I’ve had coaches in junior cut from same cloth and he (Tocchet) is really eager for me to get started.”

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And what about dad’s role in the decision?

“I heard a lot of good things and I trust him,” said DeBrusk. “He has always been a workout freak and it’s the biggest reason I’m even in this position today and getting me to the rinks when I was a kid and with the training. It’s an advantage in being able to lean on that and talk things through.”

It’s not the first time the big winger has been speculated about as a possible Canucks fit. Two years ago while considering J.T. Miller’s future worth and constant trade rumours, DeBrusk was in the what-would-we-get? mix. He was struggling in Boston and had requested a trade before finding his game.

A Miller acquisition would have given the Bruins added strength down the middle in Patrice Bergeron, Charlie Coyle and Tomas Nosek. And with Bergeron contemplating retirement at that time, Miller could have slid into that centre role.

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“Jake will be a great addition to our top six and gives us another offensive option up front,” said Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin. “He is a smart two-way player who plays with pace. He isn’t afraid to go to the tough areas of the ice and uses his strong motor and determination to drive play.”

DeBrusk was second among Bruins forwards in playoff hits with 53 and fourth in the regular season with 107.

The Canucks then added Langley native Heinen, 28, on a two-year deal with an annual value of $2.23 million. The versatile winger has strong puck skills, can prop up the penalty kill and play up and down the lineup. He had 36 points (17-19) with the Bruins this season and has been on the Canucks’ radar in past years.

For some bottom-six depth, the Canucks landed winger Sherwood, 29, for two years at $1.5 million a year. He’s good on the forecheck and plays with an edge — third in Nashville Predators hits this season with 234 hits — a good acquisition in the departures of Sam Lafferty. Sherwood had 27 points (10-17) in 68 games.

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The Canucks also added big depth defenceman Forbort, 32, on a one-year contract worth $1.5M. The 6-foot-4, 216 pound defender had four assists in 35 games with the Bruins.

Goaltender Patera, 25, has agreed on a two-year, two-way contract. The 6-foot-3, 212 pound stopper split this season between the Vegas Golden Knights and their AHL affiliate. He went 1-3-1 in the NHL with a 3.98 goals-against average and was 11-10-4 in the AHL with a 2.99 GAA.

The Canucks then added depth centre Nate Smith, 25, on a one-year, two-way contract. He played 60 AHL games in Tucson this season and had 31 points (12-19) in 60 games.

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