Taking the Boston Bruins-Vancouver Canucks pipeline in the NHL is always a risky decision. The fans in Boston might consider it treason, those in Vancouver might not be willing to take you in. Still, Jake DeBrusk chose that route. According to reports, Elias Pettersson played a major role for the former teammate of Brad Marchand to skip town.
DeBrusk’s first NHL season with Pettersson’s Canucks was anything but smooth-sailing. It was perhaps a means of letting the forward know he’d made a mistake. Still, the past campaign wasn’t any better for the Bruins. How fitting was it for chaos to erupt in both organizations, just weeks apart.
On one end of the continent, the Bruins fired Jim Montgomery and began a garage sale, which included Marchand‘s infamous trade to the Florida Panthers. On the opposite coast, the Canucks’ locker room spiraled out of control. DeBrusk, somewhat of a foreigner, was caught in the middle of a rift between Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Rick Tocchet.
Foes for life
The Bruins and Canucks will never see eye to eye. The 2011 Stanley Cup Final will always serve as a stark reminder of the animosity they hold for each other. Though Boston hosted a parade—and the city of Vancouver went up in flames in response—each time they meet on the ice tensions rise as if the Cup is on the line.
Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Vancouver Canucks reacts to teammate Pius Suter’s goal during the first period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on March 24, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey.
Thus, signing with the Canucks as a free agent was an interesting choice on DeBrusk’s part. As it’s been reported, Pettersson’s presence in Vancity might have played a pivotal role in his decision during the NHL offseason last year.
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“DeBrusk was sold on the fact that he was going to get to play with Pettersson,” insider Cam Robinson told the Sekeres and Price podcast. “That was part of the sell-job to get him to sign there. So I think the Canucks will continue to give him looks [on Pettersson’s line].”
DeBrusk’s numbers since moving to Vancouver
Both DeBrusk and the Canucks agreed to a long commitment in the summer of 2024. The 28-year-old winger put pen to paper on a seven-year, $38.5 million deal, which will drag an annual cap hit of $5.5M for Vancouver.
Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal at 57 seconds of the first period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on November 27, 2024 in Elmont, New York.
As it stands, his contract is tied for fifth-biggest in the Canucks. Pettersson’s eight-year, $92.8 million covenant reigns supreme, as expected. However, Quinn Hughes could dethrone him in a not-so-distant future.
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During DeBrusk’s first year away from Marchand and the Spoked B, the Alberta-native recorded 48 points in the NHL, as a result of 28 goals and 20 assists. It was his career-best goal production, as well as his second-best point total. Moreover, DeBrusk was able to stay healthy through an entire 82-game season for the first time in his career.
