Motivation not hard to find for struggling Vancouver Canucks as Olympic break ends

By Canadian Press on February 24, 2026.

VANCOUVER — Finding motivation on the ice is never hard for Jake DeBrusk.

Even as his Vancouver Canucks linger in the basement of the NHL standings, the winger is eager to get back to playing games this week following the extended Olympic break.

“Motivation is just playing (in the) National Hockey League. It’s the best league in the world, and you obviously want to show your best and play your best,” he said Tuesday.

“It’s not tough to be motivated. I mean, you play for pride, you play for the jersey, and you play for your teammates.”

The Canucks (18-33-6) know their dreams of a miracle playoff run are unrealistic at best.

As the league gets set to resume play on Wednesday with Vancouver hosting the Winnipeg Jets, the Canucks sit seven points back of the 31st team in the standings, the St. Louis Blues, and a whopping 21 points out of a wild-card playoff spot.

It’s an unfamiliar position for DeBrusk, who saw playoff action in each of his first seven NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins. He first missed post-season play last spring in his first season with the Canucks.

“Losing, for everyone, as a group, no one likes to lose, no one’s used to losing, all that,” he said. “Obviously, some of the core guys here had some tough years. I’ve been kind of leaning on them, to be honest with you, a little bit.

“But you just try to work your hardest day in, day out. And honestly, you look forward to the games, you look forward to trying to score some goals in front of home fans. And you’ve got to keep it simple.”

The Canucks head into their final 25 games of the season with the worst goal differential in the league (-61) and the worst penalty kill in the league (70.6 per cent).

“We don’t like the position we’re in,” said veteran defenceman Tyler Myers. “There’s always something to play for. We want to make sure that we’re building in the right direction, creating consistency within the details of our game, because it’s only going to help you as you start to get out of this.”

Vancouver has already weathered upheaval with a prolonged spate of injuries and trade rumours this season.

There was the blockbuster deal that sent then-captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in December. All-star goalie Thatcher Demko underwent season-ending hip surgery in January. A concussion limited centre Filip Chytil to just 12 games.

Now, players and staff alike are bracing for the NHL trade deadline on March 6, where Vancouver is expected to be a prime seller.

The constant swell of rumours has added yet another wrinkle for head coach Adam Foote, but he’s encouraging his players to keep grinding every day.

“These guys are pros. They know. It never felt good, when I was a player, trade deadline, even when you felt safe,” said the former NHL defenceman. “But that’s part of the business. And the guys understand it.”

As the deadline approaches, Foote will try to give players who are in public conversation a bit of extra attention.

“I read the room. I worry about all of them. And I’ll take a look where they’re at every day, their mindset, their body language,” he said, “And there’s times where I will approach guys and see how they’re feeling if there’s been noise.

“It’s not easy, but it’s the business. It’s pro hockey and they’re pros.”

Several Canucks have already come up in trade talk, including wingers Evander Kane and Conor Garland, and centre Teddy Blueger.

DeBrusk’s name, too, has been bandied about.

That’s nothing new, said the 29-year-old forward, who has 13 goals and 15 assists over 56 games this season.

“I’ve been a part of trade rumours since I’ve been 19,” he said.

“It’s tough. It’s tough on guys. Obviously, it’s on everyone’s mind, and nowadays, with Twitter, social media and different outlets or different rumours, whatever, it’s a little more heightened, especially on a team like ours, I would say. Just because it’s that time of year. … But me as a player, I just try to roll with the punches and just do what I can.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press