Canucks: How leading sniper Jake DeBrusk can play more prominent role

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Jake DeBrusk is not happy with his game.

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It sounds a little ludicrous because the Vancouver Canucks’ free-agent acquisition has come as advertised. The big winger has always been a streaky scorer and went his first nine games this season without finding the back of the net. He then did what he has always done, found his game, his presence and touch.

DeBrusk leads the Canucks with 16 goals, including six on the power play, and 11 goals have come on the road. He has had a streak of 11 goals in 10 games this season — including his second career hat-trick — and is on pace for a carer-high 37.

That bodes well. Seven of the Canucks’ next 10 games are away from Rogers Arena and DeBrusk believes he can be a bigger factor on a top line with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser.

“It’s in terms of just being aggressive,” DeBrusk said Monday. “It’s tracking down pucks on the forecheck and there’s something to be said for getting to the net more. I’m thinking about everything that leads up to that with the routes and winning puck battles, not necessarily the product of getting shots.”

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Today’s NHL game is predicated on positioning and strong net presence, and DeBrusk can’t drift and unload shots from long range. Setting screens and being there for tips, rebounds and deflections are going to increase his goal total and overall value.

DeBrusk led the Boston Bruins with 11 points (5-6) in 13 playoff games last spring, was second in hits (53) and second among forwards in blocked shots (16). Being present when it matters most is why the Canucks committed to a seven-year, US$38.50 million deal that carries a $5.5 million cap hit. It could prove a bargain if DeBrusk keeps delivering.

“He’s good at coming to the net when there are a lot of loose pucks and somehow he finds that area,” said Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet. “And he can get rush goals, which we’ve been limited to. The best goal scorers play outside, but they also know when to go inside. And it can’t just be inside, but when you play there, it sets up for outside goals.”

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An example of what DeBrusk needs to do came Saturday. Boeser got to the net, established position, and swatted a loose puck home. He then pivoted on his second goal when Miller went to the net, which allowed Boeser to move sideways and take a feed to unload a one-timer.

“When you have the skill set and a shot like Brock, he’s prolific at finding those soft areas,” added DeBrusk. “I’m different. I’ve had only three or four one-timers in my career. I’ve got to get to the net and get in tight. I understand more now where Brock wants to go and he has such good chemistry (with Miller) that’s it’s more simple for me to just get the net.

“If Millsy is flying around and has the puck, he’s looking for Brock and I know the puck will eventually come to the net. In a worst-case scenario, you’re there for a re-set or just keep the cycle alive by using my speed to get in and out of there.

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“When I first started playing with them, it reminded me of playing with Bergy (Patrice Bergeron) and Marsh (Brad Marchand). Very connected and it took me some time to figure how to get pucks to them in the right areas.

“They desired perfection every single game. This is a game of mistakes and chaos and they wanted consistency every day. It’s an impossible game to be perfect at.”

It’s why they call it “The Boston Way.”

“It’s a culture of accepting nothing else but wins,” added DeBrusk. “It’s hard to do because you’re going to have good and bad days, like any other job, but it’s something you can always chase.”

If the past and present mesh into DeBrusk gaining an even higher stature of expectations and execution with Miller and Boeser, the timing couldn’t be better.

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The loss of playmaking wizard, leading scorer and consummate captain Quinn Hughes to a suspected hand injury has the Norris Trophy winner out week-to-week. And Elias Pettersson is out another week with an upper-body injury. That’s a combined 18 goals and 70 points that will be missing Tuesday in Calgary.

Hughes is also that get-out-of-jail-free card with his speedy zone exits and is something special with 80 career (regular season and overtime) multi-assist games. He’s fifth in franchise history behind Henrik Sedin (192), Daniel Sedin (111), Stan Smyl and Thomas Gradin (82).

“Quinn is a hockey nerd — he thinks it 24/7,” said Tocchet. “Even when you have breakfast with him he’s talking hockey and watching hockey. It just adds to his love of the game, and when you have players like that, it’s contagious.

“This is killing him that he’s out. He told me today: ‘Coach, I’m bored.’ Guys who are injured are just itching to get back in.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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