Vancouver Canucks 2026-27 Player Projections: Jake DeBrusk – The Hockey Writers – Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks made a huge commitment to Jake DeBrusk when they signed him to a seven-year deal back in 2024. They were also a much different team coming off a second-round appearance against the Edmonton Oilers that left them only a win away from the Western Conference Final.
But things change quickly, and in this case, a lot has changed for the Canucks over the last two seasons. Locker room drama, major trades, and coaching and management firings and hirings have this team in a state of flux, and DeBrusk is right in the middle of it.
DeBrusk might not be with the Canucks all season, as his name has come up in trade rumours. He has also said he does not want to be part of a rebuild, though he quickly walked back those comments.
The offseason hasn’t changed DeBrusk’s tune, either: “What I said, that quote, gets a lot of attention,” he told Sportsnet earlier this week. “But nobody remembers what I said the next day when I clarified. It was an emotional time in the middle of a really hard season. I wish I’d thought about it a little more (when asked about the rebuild), but that’s on me.
“I want to say this on the record: I have not asked for a trade. There are all kinds of crazy things out there sometimes, but I haven’t talked to anyone about that. I signed in Vancouver for a reason. I wanted to help them win and I still think I can help them.
So, heading into 2026-27, it appears DeBrusk will remain a Canuck and be part of the veteran leadership group tasked with navigating the rebuild. Let’s take a look at his projections.
Looking Back at DeBrusk’s 2025-26 Season
DeBrusk has always been a streaky player; ask Boston Bruins fans. It’s been the same thing in Vancouver over the last two seasons. It’s frustrating to watch a player be hot for 20 or so games and then go ice-cold for another 20. And that’s exactly what has happened in the 163 games he’s played for the Canucks so far. That, and the bulk of his offence coming via the power play, with 33 of his 51 goals scored on the man advantage. Yes, he only has 18 even-strength goals in 163 games.
Last season, DeBrusk had a career-high 19 power-play goals and almost matched his career-low in even-strength goals with four (he scored three in the shortened 2020-21 season). He also scored most of his goals near the end of the season, going on a 13-game heater and scoring 10 of his 23 goals in March and April alone. Most of his other 13 came in November, when he scored six goals in nine games, and January, when he scored three goals in four games.
Among the hot streaks came disappearing acts of one goal in 12 games and two goals in 26 games; basically the definition of streaky. If anything, I guess we can call DeBrusk consistent, right?
Expectations/Role for 2026-27
DeBrusk will probably start on the top line with Elias Pettersson, and because of his well-documented power-play prowess, he will be on the first-unit power play. It would be great if he could rein in his streakiness and spread his goals throughout the season rather than cycling between hot and cold. But that’s a tall task, considering that’s been his MO for almost the entirety of his career.
Even if DeBrusk continues his streakiness, he has to start contributing more at even strength. Power-play goals are great, but they can’t be the be-all end-all of his offence. What’s interesting is that being a power-play merchant only started when he threw on a Canucks jersey. Before the 2024-25 season, he had never hit double digits in power-play goals – the most he had was eight back in 2018-19, and he averaged only four over the seven seasons he played in Boston.
Beyond what he does on the ice, DeBrusk will be expected to be a veteran voice in the locker room and one of the faces of the leadership group. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wore an “A”, especially if he remains committed to what the Canucks are doing.
The good thing is, after his recent comments, it doesn’t look like DeBrusk will be adding drama to the mix with a trade request. That’s the last thing this team needs right now after everything that has happened over the last two seasons.
2026-27 Projections
DeBrusk has been a pretty consistent 20-25-goal scorer over his career. He’s hit at least 20 in five of his nine seasons in the NHL, so it’s pretty safe to say he will hit that again this season. Even on a mediocre team in 2025-26, he was only two away from 25. When it comes to points, 45-50 is a reasonable projection, considering 46 has been his career average over 82 games.
Reachable Career Milestones
- 700 games (628) earliest: March 14 at Ottawa Senators
- 200 goals (189)
- 400 points (356)
*Current numbers in brackets
Other 2026-27 Player Projections
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