Vancouver Canucks benching new free agent previously linked to Oilers
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Former Edmonton target Jake DeBrusk will be a healthy scratch in today's game versus Seattle, as confirmed by Canucks' coach Adam Foote.
Will Oilers re-visit acquisition of forward
«We had a good talk with Jake,» Foote said after practice. «He had a lot going well for him, just couldn't get it in, and then he's been a little bit stale as far as chances 5v5. I think it's going to be a good reset for him.»
When Edmonton Hockey Daily reported about DeBrusk signing with Vancouver, the Oilers had just signed forward Victor Arvidsson to his two-year deal.
Yet, prior to signing Arvidsson, Edmonton was pursuing the feisty and talented Jake DeBrusk, hoping he would provide secondary scoring and the aggression the team needed for its playoff push.
It wasn't to be, of course, as Jake ultimately signed with Edmonton's Pacific Division rival instead.
In his first year with Vancouver, DeBrusk put up solid numbers, scoring 28 goals and 48 points.
This season, however, he's been unproductive 5v5.
Now in year two of a seven-year deal with the Canucks, he's scored just one goal at even-strength and eight of his nine goals have come on the power play.
«It's embarrassing,» said DeBrusk. «I mean, anytime you miss a game, it's, yeah, it's embarrassing...I obviously haven't been good enough. Anytime that you're in this position, it's lots of things. So, you know, I gotta control what I can do from this point forward and just worry about me. I think there's a lot of different things. The good thing about this situation, in my previous times being scratched, you have a clean slate. So I care less about what has happened.»
If the Oilers have any interest in pursuing DeBrusk, now might be a good time to approach the Canucks.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 29 | 885 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks benching new free agent previously linked to Oilers Should Oilers go after Jake DeBrusk as a bottom-6 addition? | ||
| yes | 693 | 78.3 % |
| no | 192 | 21.7 % |
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