Canucks bench DeBrusk and Kämpf for first time ever, benching two key players due to poor performance.

The Vancouver Canucks scratched veteran forward Jake DeBrusk and center David Kämpf for their game against the Seattle Kraken, marking the first time both have been healthy scratches in their Canucks careers. DeBrusk, struggling offensively with just one even-strength goal and a minus-nine plus-minus, was benched due to stagnation and lack of impact at five-on-five, despite nine goals and eight assists overall. Head coach Adam Foote cited the need for a reset to help DeBrusk refocus. In their places, Nils Höglander returned from injury and rookie Aatu Räty took Kämpf’s spot, the latter having matched Kämpf’s 11 even-strength points in fewer games. The move reflects the Canucks’ ongoing struggles as they remain last in their division.