Toronto Maple Leafs Rumored to Want to Sign Jake Debrusk

The Toronto Maple Leafs and pending unrestricted free agent forward Jake DeBrusk, according to Nike Alberga, appear to have mutual interest in each other.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is reportedly interested in trying to re-sign forwards Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi to contract extensions. However, if one or both decide not to re-sign, then DeBrusk would be a decent replacement.

DeBrusk is a known 'Leafs Killer,' so it would benefit the Leafs to add him and not have to play against him anymore. He has been a thorn in the Leafs side since his first season (2017-18) with the divisional rival Boston Bruins. The fact that DeBrusk has an interest in playing for the Leafs is exciting. At 27 years old, the Leafs could get plenty of good productive years out of him.

Last season, DeBrusk registered 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points in 80 games. His average ice time was 16:50 minutes a game. The Bruins won 56% of his minutes and he finished with an expected goals rating of 54%.

In fact, Debrusk has never lost his 5v5 minutes or finished under 50% XG in his entire career.

Adding him to the Leafs top six would look nice. Career totals are 138 goals, and 128 assists for 266 points in 465 games during seven seasons with the Bruins. He registered five goals and six assists for 11 points in 13 playoff games in the 2024 NHL playoffs. DeBrusk has 27 goals and 20 assists for 47 points in 86 career playoff games.
(All stats from hockey-reference.com)

Adding DeBrusk Benefits the Toronto Maple Leafs

As much as Domi and Bertuzzi fit the mold of the kind of team Treliving is trying to build, adding DeBrusk is another piece that fits that mold. Having all three players would be nice, but there is only so much salary cap space to go around.

If the Leafs can keep Domi and Bertuzzi, plus sign DeBrusk, their left wing and center spots would be in good shape. The Leafs would have Bertuzzi, Knies, and DeBrusk on the left, Matthews, Tavares, and Domi up the middle, and Nylander, Marner, and Jarnkrok on the right. That is a good-looking top nine.

Another thing about the Leafs adding DeBrusk is that he is the type of player that new head coach Craig Berube loves to have on his team. I think Berube would know how to use DeBrusk properly in his system. The same can be said for Bertuzzi and Domi if they re-sign.

We won't have to wait too long to find out if DeBrusk is joining the Leafs, as the NHL's free agency period begins on July 1st.