According to Nike Alberga, there seems to be intrigue between the Toronto Maple Leafs and forward Jake DeBrusk, a potential unrestricted free agency.
According to reports, Brad Treliving, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is considering trying to re-sign forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi to longer contracts. In the event that one or both choose not to resign, DeBrusk would make a respectable substitute.
Knowing that DeBrusk is a ‘Leafs Killer,’ the Leafs would gain by adding him and avoiding having to play against him. Ever since spending his rookie season (2017–18) with the Boston Bruins, the division foe, he has been a pain in the Leafs side. It’s fantastic to learn that DeBrusk wants to play with the Leafs. The Leafs might get a lot of excellent, productive years out of him at 27.
DeBrusk scored 40 points in 80 games last season with 19 goals and 21 assists. He spent 16:50 minutes on the ice on average each game. With 56% of his minutes won by the Bruins, he had a 54% anticipated goals rating at the end.
Debrusk has actually never finished or lost his 5v5 minutes. less than 50% XG over his whole career.
It would look good to have him in the Leafs’ starting lineup. 138 goals, 128 assists, and 266 points over the course of seven seasons with the Bruins comprise his career totals in 465 games. During the 2024 NHL playoffs, he scored five goals and provided six assists for a total of 11 points in 13 games. With 27 goals and 20 assists in 86 career postseason games, DeBrusk has 47 points.
Adding DeBrusk Benefits the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs’ left wing and center positions would be well-positioned if they were able to sign DeBrusk and retain Domi and Bertuzzi. The lineup for the Leafs would be Nylander, Marner, and Jarnkrok on the right, Tavares, Domi, and Matthews up in the middle, and Bertuzzi, Knies, and DeBrusk on the left. That top nine seems quite good.
DeBrusk is also the kind of player that new head coach Craig Berube adores having on his squad, which is another reason the Leafs added him. Berube would likely be knowledgeable about utilizing DeBrusk within his scheme. If Bertuzzi and Domi resign, the same can be said.
If DeBrusk is joining the Leafs, we won’t have to wait long, since the NHL’s
In addition to Domi and Bertuzzi, DeBrusk completes the puzzle of the type of club Treliving is attempting to assemble. Although it would be fantastic to have all three players, there is only so much salary cap room available.
The start of the free agency period is July 1.
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