Three Canucks Shining Early Amid Vancouver's Skid
Vancouver sits at 2-5-0 and has lost four straight, but several players have performed well early in the rebuild. Paul Cotter, who signed a one-year deal in July, leads the team with four goals and has six points. Jake DeBrusk has three goals, all at even strength, after previously scoring most of his goals on the power play.
Cotter joined Vancouver on a one-year, $2.15 million contract July 1. Through seven games he has four goals and six points, leading the club in goals and trailing only Elias Pettersson's eight points. He is tied for 11th league-wide in goals. Last season with New Jersey he recorded nine goals and 15 points in 79 games; his career bests are 16 goals and 25 points.
DeBrusk's last season included 23 goals, but 19 came on the power play and only four at even strength. This season he has three goals, all even strength, with an 18.8 shooting percentage. Lekkerimäki has two goals and five points in seven games, nearing career highs, after previously playing for Manny Malhotra in Abbotsford.
Early individual success during a team skid may give Canucks fans a reason to stay engaged, easing some frustration around the rebuild. Strong starts from Cotter, DeBrusk and Lekkerimäki could shape trade and free-agency discussions, affecting players' leverage and the club's planning. Local businesses tied to game-day traffic may see steadier interest if promising performances keep attendance and attention from falling. For players, positive early results may boost confidence and public support, though a long losing streak could still overshadow individual gains.