2. Jake DeBrusk’s high-danger prowess, skating metrics
DeBrusk, who has been elite from high-danger locations since the Canucks signed him to a seven-year contract July 1, 2024, led the NHL in high-danger shots on goal (121) and was tied for 10th in high-danger goals (22) last season. In 2024-25, DeBrusk was tied for fifth in high-danger goals (24) and ranked in the 98th percentile among forwards in high-danger shots on goal (89). DeBrusk also ranked highly at his position last season in long-range shots on goal (16; 84th percentile).
DeBrusk, who leads the Canucks in goals (51) and power-play goals (33; tied for second in NHL) since the start of the 2024-25 season, ranked among the forward leaders last season in max skating speed (23.53 mph; 95th percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (168; 89th percentile), 22-plus mph bursts (nine; 87th percentile) and skating distance on the power play (30.62 miles; 88th percentile). The five-time 20-goal scorer has taken on a significant role on the Canucks' first power-play unit in his two seasons with them.
3. Filip Hronek's shot, skating speed, distance metrics
Hronek, who had an NHL career-high 49 points (eight goals, 41 assists) and averaged 25:00 in ice time in 82 games last season, ranked 10th in the NHL in skating distance at all strengths (292.32 miles) and ninth at even strength (246.40 miles). Hronek also ranked highly at his position in total miles skated on the power play (24.12 miles; 89th percentile) and on the penalty kill (21.80 miles; 89th percentile) last season. The 28-year-old skated 4.14 miles at even strength against the Nashville Predators on March 12, which ranked in the 97th percentile at his position for skating distance in a game last season.
Hronek ranked among the defenseman leaders last season in hardest shot (95.60 mph; 83rd percentile), 90-100 mph shot attempts (18; 93rd percentile), 70-80 mph shot attempts (108; 91st percentile) and 80-90 mph shot attempts (54; 89th percentile). Hronek, who ranked in the 97th percentile among defensemen in 18-20 mph speed bursts (471) last season, also finished highly at his position in long-range shots on goal (74; 91st percentile), mid-range shots on goal (25; 82nd percentile), high-danger goals (three; 92nd percentile) and mid-range goals (three; 78th percentile). Hronek was a workhorse for the Canucks after defenseman Quinn Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 12, and it's expected that he’ll take on an equally heavy workload this season.
