Jake DeBrusk Would Give Maple Leafs Needed Depth for Stanley Cup Run Amid NHL Rumors
June 24, 2024
The Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans are all too familiar with the Boston Bruins' Jake DeBrusk.
The left winger has been a Leafs killer for years, tallying six goals and five assists in his 17 career games against Toronto. Four of those assists came in the last three games against Boston's Eastern Conference rival.
As the Maple Leafs look to the offseason and potential free agent additions, though, the team may very well take the "better the devil you know than the devil you don't" approach.
The Toronto Star's Nick Kyperos reported the Leafs are interested in possibly acquiring DeBrusk this offseason.
Of course, that depends on whether Boston signs DeBrusk before the start of free agency on July 1.
Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery made it clear in an appearance on the NHL Wraparound Podcast that he wants DeBrusk back. He was complimentary of DeBrusk and the openness with which he has approached their conversations.
"One thing you notice, that I really noticed is that every time I talked to him one-on-one, he was very honest about where he thought his play was. We talked a lot about consistency when Jake was on top of his game. Jake was a game breaker for us. He's someone that could change the momentum of a game in one or two shifts because of his tenacity, speed, and skill," (h/t The Hockey News for the transcription).
If DeBrusk is not re-signed, he hits the market and will likely find plenty of suitors, few with the understanding of what he is capable of more than the Leafs.
More importantly, the Leafs are in need of depth at key positions, including left wing. Tyler Bertuzzi showed flashes in his first season with the team but behind him are Kyle Clifford, Nicholas Robertson, and Matthew Knies, none of which are the player that DeBrusk is.
The Bruin put up 40 points with a +/- of four in 16:49 of ice time per game.
His consistency has long been a question but when he has the puck, he has the potential to put it in the net. He is creative offensively and can provide scoring support behind Auston Matthews, William Nylander and the rest of the Leafs core.
The Leafs have other holes that need addressed, including goalie and on the defensive side of the puck.
Adding the quality depth alongside and behind the stars that DeBrusk brings is the sort of move that will, in theory, help the much-maligned organization finally get over the playoff hump and into a Stanley Cup final.
