BREAKING NEWS: Jake DeBrusk and the Bruins’ top rival share a “mutual interest.”
Jake DeBrusk was always going to be the Boston Bruins‘ forthcoming free agent that drew the greatest interest from other teams among all the players the team had available this summer.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are one team that is rumored to be interested in DeBrusk, according to columnist Nick Kypreos of the Toronto Star.
According to Kypreos’ post on Wednesday, “The Leafs continue to look at all options when it comes to their top six forwards next season.” “Jake DeBrusk, a free agent who is pending and has been a Leafs playoff killer for several years, is rumored to be of interest to them.”
In support of Kypreos’ report, Nick Alberga, the host of Leafs Morning Take, revealed that DeBrusk has at least some “mutual interest” in moving to Toronto.
DeBrusk, who has been known for being a streaky player throughout his whole career with the Bruins, will be entering free agency for the first time this offseason after scoring 19 goals and amassing 40 points in the 2023–24 campaign.
Nevertheless, considering that DeBrusk tied his career best of 27 goals in 2022–2023–he is a fascinating addition to a Maple Leafs team that is in need of a striker.
The Bruins, on the other hand, have not ruled out getting back together with DeBrusk in an attempt to increase their offensive output this offseason. The Bruins have the money to make it happen, as Puckpedia reports that they have $23.86 million in cap space. AFP Analytics forecasts that DeBrusk will sign a five-year deal with an annual cap hit of $5.82 million.
However, considering how inconsistent DeBrusk has been throughout his career, the Bruins might be considering making a greater long-term investment in a different player.
The 27-year-old’s play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year, when he scored 11 points in 13 games for Boston, is the only reason to re-sign him. In the first round, DeBrusk scored five points to help the Bruins defeat the Maple Leafs in seven games, adding a new chapter to their long-standing rivalry.
The addition of DeBrusk by Toronto would only fuel the rivalry between the teams even further. The Bruins and Maple Leafs have faced off in four postseason series over the past 11 years, all of which went the full distance and saw Boston emerge victorious. The rivalry was put to rest during the previous offseason when Tyler Bertuzzi was signed by the Maple Leafs without the Bruins’ knowledge after the latter were unable to come to a long-term deal with the forward.
DeBrusk, who the Bruins drafted 14th overall in 2014, has played in 465 games and scored 138 goals for 266 points. When NHL free agency starts on July 1, he can choose to sign with the Bruins, Maple Leafs, or any other team.