Former Bruins Forward Jake DeBrusk Emerges as Trade Target This Offseason

Jake DeBrusk, a former scoring winger for the Boston Bruins, may be seeking a new team as the offseason approaches. Drafted by Boston as the 14th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, DeBrusk made his NHL debut during the 2017-18 season and spent seven seasons with the franchise. In July 2024, he signed a seven-year contract worth $38.5 million with the Vancouver Canucks.

However, after only two seasons in Vancouver, DeBrusk's future is uncertain. NHL insider Nick Kypreos from Sportsnet has identified him as a potential trade candidate this summer. Kypreos noted, “The situation just has not worked out as planned with Jake DeBrusk in his two years with the Canucks. His own production has remained relatively steady in recent years, but he’s meant to be a big, complementary winger with strong linemates instead of a team’s goal-scoring leader, which he was in Vancouver this season.”

DeBrusk, who is under contract for $5.5 million until the end of the 2030-31 season, recorded 23 goals and 19 assists for a total of 42 points in 81 games last season. His peak performance came in the 2022-23 season with the Bruins, where he achieved a career-high of 50 points in just 64 games. At 29 years old, he remains an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their secondary scoring and enhance their middle-six forward lines.

As the NHL offseason unfolds, many teams will likely consider acquiring DeBrusk, and Kypreos suggests that convincing him to waive his no-move clause is not expected to pose a challenge.