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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 34 minutes ago • 3 minute read
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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
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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.
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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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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It’s not the first time the big winger has been in speculation as a possible Canucks fit. Two years ago amid 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.
“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.”
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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 Danton 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 Kiefer Sherwood, 29, for two years at $1.5 million per. He’s good on the forecheck and plays with an edge and a good aquisiton in the departures of Sam Lafferty. Sherwood had 27 points (10-17) in 68 games with the Nashville Predators this season.
The Canucks also added big depth defenceman Derek 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.
More to come …
bkuzma@postmedia.om
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Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/nhl-free-agency-canucks-signings