LATEST REPORT: Maple Leafs Confirms Mutual Interest With $8 Million Top Forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs have expressed mutual interest with pending free agent forward Jake DeBrusk. DeBrusk is approaching unrestricted free agency after completing his two-year, $8 million contract with the Boston Bruins. Former NHL player and Toronto Star columnist Nick Kypreos reported on June 19 that Toronto is keen on signing DeBrusk.
“There’s word they may have interest in pending Bruins free agent Jake DeBrusk, who’s been a Leafs playoff killer over the years,” Kypreos wrote.
Following Kypreos’ report, Nick Alberga of The Nation Network confirmed that the interest is mutual, with DeBrusk also being interested in joining the Maple Leafs in free agency.
“Furthermore, I heard over the weekend that there’s actually mutual interest between the Leafs & Jake DeBrusk,” Alberga wrote.
DailyFaceoff.com projects that DeBrusk could secure a five-year deal worth $6 million annually. Last season with the Bruins, DeBrusk scored 19 goals and provided 21 assists for a total of 40 points in 80 games. Notably, DeBrusk has been a significant performer against the Maple Leafs, recording 3 goals and 2 assists in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Throughout his career, DeBrusk has accumulated 6 goals and 5 assists in 17 games against Toronto.
DeBrusk ‘Looking Forward’ to Getting a Deal Done
Jake DeBrusk will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career on July 1. As he enters free agency, DeBrusk acknowledges the business aspect of hockey but is eager to finalize a deal.
“I understand that business is business,” DeBrusk said, via NHL.com. “I’ve been here for a while. I’ve seen [a lot] of deals get done with guys and things, so I kind of understand, I guess, what their side is and how they usually operate. So I wasn’t necessarily completely surprised, but I thought it’d be done and things would all work out earlier, I guess. But in saying that, getting to this year was really stressful on me and it took a lot, so I’m just looking forward to getting away, to be honest.”
Furthermore, I heard over the weekend that there’s actually mutual interest between the Leafs & Jake DeBrusk. https://t.co/HU2dqZetgD
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) June 20, 2024
DeBrusk was drafted 14th overall by the Bruins in the 2015 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut in the 2017-18 season, becoming a full-time player since then. However, his time with the Bruins has not been without its challenges. On November 29, 2021, DeBrusk publicly requested a trade from Boston. Despite this, no trade occurred, and DeBrusk rescinded his request in July 2022.
As free agency approaches, the Toronto Maple Leafs have shown interest in DeBrusk, and reports indicate that the interest is mutual. This upcoming free agency period will be a pivotal moment in DeBrusk’s career as he looks forward to joining a new team and securing a fresh start.
Maple Leafs Front Office Open to Changes
The Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the team’s front office has indicated they will consider all options this summer. Since the season ended, there have been trade rumors involving key players Mitch Marner and John Tavares, though both have no-movement clauses, so their willingness to waive these clauses remains uncertain.
Entering the offseason, the Maple Leafs have just over $18 million in cap space. However, they face decisions regarding several key free agents, including Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Joel Edmundson, and restricted free agents Timothy Liljegren and Nicholas Robertson.
Free agency is set to begin on July 1, marking a critical period for the Maple Leafs as they navigate potential trades, re-signings, and new acquisitions to improve their roster for the upcoming season.