Confirmed with Link: Canucks sign F Jake DeBrusk to 7-Year, $5.5M AAV Contract

[EpochLink]

Not a fan of the term but at least he’s on the right side of 30. Kind of feel like management views him as a guy that can level up his game ala Zach Hyman.

Hell, JT Miller wasn't hot shit before he got here. Once he got his foot planted, guy will go down as a Canucks legend.

 

[vanarchy]

I think a change of scenery from the toxic east coast Boston sports fans is exactly what Jake needs.

Like this right now and anticipate will love it in the future.

Meanwhile, in Boston:

"I think a change of scenery from the toxic Canadian fans is exactly what these guys need."

 

[Regal]

Doubt that will happen as he's still young and has the HAPPY feet and can forecheck like the devil.

It's guys like Boeser or Miller who really hit the wall around 32- 34 yrs old and it' mostly because of their foot speed (never really had it in the first place) & the league just passes them by.

It’s one of those things where sometimes if your skating advantage goes then you don’t have the smarts or creativity to make up for it. And it’s hard to be a forechecking demon as you get older. Not saying it will necessarily happen to DeBrusk but I wouldn’t expect him to be a top 6 player the last two years of the deal.

I would t expect Miller to age quickly because he has a lot of talent to fall back on. Boeser maybe because his skating is that weak as is.

 

[logan5]

Is there a website out there that gives up to date scouting reports on players? Is Debrusk a relentless puck pursuit guy. Does he win board battles and puck battles?

 

[Regal]

I think the likelihood of elite talent making it to market will be diminished over the next few years. A rising cap, parity and teams being flush with picks means VAN is in tough to get anything done there.

Boeser being the best winger on the team likely gets re-signed.

I think VAN is now set on the path of winning via depth, not top end talent, but we'll see.

I mean, if Pettersson, Miller, Hughes and Demko are all playing at the top of their games the top end talent is still as good as all but a handful of teams in the league.

i don't disagree that high end players have better longetivity, but i'm still probably not taking the bet that guentzel from ages 29-36 won't experience a decline more significant than debrusk from 27-34... and i don't entirely buy that guentzel losing his tools won't result in a massive downtick in production. we all saw what happened with pettersson and his knee injury.

Fair enough. I think Guentzel was worth the risk. I’m not sure DeBrusk is, but it’s not a big deal as long as he doesn’t decline much the first 4/5 years or so.

 

[VanillaCoke]

Love it Jake is a solid player, fits great, and another value deal when he breaks out here next year.

 

[Hodgy]

One thing I do think is likely is that I will be sick of Debrusk long before his contract expires.

 

[Burnaby Schmo]

Probably the biggest UFA gamble this season. It could age like wine or vinegar. See what he does next to EP.

 

[Jack Burton]

Yeah, that's exactly what happened.

Jesus H

What's so Jesus H about that? I'm probably wrong with the 5yr original offer as Debrusk was plan B but everyone in the NHL including their dogs knew Z was coming in at around 5 mil. & 8 for Lindholm....It was always about term with these players and for some reason this management team didn't want to commit to that.

They got burnt and now we have Debrusk for 7 years

I think management really F*cked up by not offering Zadorov that exact same offer and signing Myers early( needed that extra 3 mil for FA) and not letting Myers go to FA.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

Led the Bruins in goals & points in the postseason over superstars like Marchand & Pastrnak. Solid power forward that plays with speed, tenacity & passion.

 

[Wry n Ginger]

Pretty much guarantied to be a 40-50+ point winger that is 6ft, 200lbs and can skate that is 27 year old...yah hate it, what were they thinking?

 

[F A N]

I’m not a big fan of the player but it could be due to his situation in Boston. I worry about his consistency. Otherwise, term is a bit long but the player is good. Versatile 2-way player, gives you 20 goals 50 points with a higher ceiling, can produce in the playoffs. Could break out if he proves to be a good fit. Probably better with Miller than Petey.

 

[Hit the post]

I’m not a big fan of the player but it could be due to his situation in Boston. I worry about his consistency. Otherwise, term is a bit long but the player is good. Versatile 2-way player, gives you 20 goals 50 points with a higher ceiling, can produce in the playoffs. Could break out if he proves to be a good fit. Probably better with Miller than Petey.

Have to wonder how much Tocchet had an influence (if any) on the signing? If anybody can get the player going, it's going to be him.

 

[Nucker101]

I dislike this deal, I think he'll be fine for the first 3 years and then it could go downhill fast. He's also just a streaky 2nd line winger so he's going to have weeks where he'll frustrate fans.


But I do like that he's a bit of a playoff gamer, so if the team makes the playoffs again I think he'll win over fans.

 

[God]

I mean, if Pettersson, Miller, Hughes and Demko are all playing at the top of their games the top end talent is still as good as all but a handful of teams in the league.



Fair enough. I think Guentzel was worth the risk. I’m not sure DeBrusk is, but it’s not a big deal as long as he doesn’t decline much the first 4/5 years or so.

For sure, I definitely would've rather had Guentzel. I don't care about the whole 7 years, I care about the next 3, and Guentzel is definitely better.

 

[Jack Burton]

Is there a website out there that gives up to date scouting reports on players? Is Debrusk a relentless puck pursuit guy. Does he win board battles and puck battles?

Oh ya he wins the board battles but the problem with Debrusk is what to do with the puck after he wins said board battle.

 

[EpochLink]

If we get Shorthouse and Debrusk as the Canucks tandem for HNIC, then whatever.

 

[Hodgy]

I think I would rather have signed Zadorov for what he got from Boston.

 

[Hit the post]

Oh ya he wins the board battles but the problem with Debrusk is what to do with the puck after he wins said board battle.

Just have Debrusk pass the puck to Elias & then stay out of his way.

 

[F A N]

For what it’s worth, I think Calgary offered 4 years over $6M AAV so there is some cap savings here with the much longer term.

Pretty much guarantied to be a 40-50+ point winger that is 6ft, 200lbs and can skate that is 27 year old...yah hate it, what were they thinking?

I consider him more as a 28 year old signing.

 

[Jack Burton]

Just have Debrusk pass the puck to Elias & then stay out of his way.

Son, You do not want me to get going on Pettersson. I'm off that train.

 

[timw33]

For sure, I definitely would've rather had Guentzel. I don't care about the whole 7 years, I care about the next 3, and Guentzel is definitely better.

I also would have liked the clearly better player, the one who was also not available to us at the end of the day so whats the point grousing about it?

 

[Quinton Byfield]

Pretty much guarantied to be a 40-50+ point winger that is 6ft, 200lbs and can skate that is 27 year old...yah hate it, what were they thinking?

It's not the player in a vacuum, but 5.5 for potentially a 40pt guy, when the team still needs a long term top 4 RHD, OEL's 4.7 coming up, Boeser's extension, and probably a high end skill top 6 forward...

 

[orcatown]

Contract is too long and too high. Runs hot and cold and Boston has beeen trying to move him for years. Often put in high scoring positions in Boston to increase his value in trade and pretty obvious Boston was not making a serious effort top get him back.

Seems to me Canucks were set on Guentzel but lost out on him and then scrambbled and over-paid to get de Brusk. Ended up over-terming and over-paying.

Maybe (big maybe) the deal ages well if cap keeps going up but at the moment have a very mid level player at high price.

Agree team is way better off, overall. with Zadorov rather than de Brusk.

Team gets hell of lot smaller.

 

[God]

I also would have liked the clearly better player, the one who was also not available to us at the end of the day so whats the point grousing about it?

What? It's a minor discussion about performance decline for hockey players on a hockey discussion forum.