Vegas can take this pending free agent from the Boston Bruins
With the Vegas Golden Knights searching for quality forwards, they might have to stock up on clam chowder for this quality free agent.
The city of Boston offers numerous things for incoming tourists. Whether it's a good ol' pub for drinking or four competitive sports teams in the region, Beantown is a go-to destination for the ultimate sports fan. That's especially true in the past couple of decades, where the Massachusetts city has seen teams like the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox dominate their respective sports.
However, the Vegas Golden Knights should have a different purpose for heading to Beantown. The gray and gold have five unrestricted free agents at the forward position this offseason, which is a huge loss in the depth department. Many of these pieces are tenured veterans, including Chandler Stephenson and Jonathan Marchessault. The losses will change the team's structure forever, leaving fans wondering what general manager Kelly McCrimmon should do next.
So what would Vegas head over to Boston for? Well, it would be none other than for a forward named Jake DeBrusk, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. There are many reasons why they should bring the Boston winger on board, with his offensive skills being part of the deal. However, hockey fans in Sin City should look further into his profile and see what else the Edmonton native can offer. Luckily, that profile's right here, with a complete breakdown of DeBrusk's talents.
Folks, it's time to fire up the Dropkick Murphys and get that clam "chow-dah" ready. Vegas needs some forwards, which means they're looking at Beantown for a recruit or two. What does Jake DeBrusk bring to the table, other than his offensive abilities? What are some red flags that should be concerning for Golden Knights fans? Let's ship up to Boston and see the scoop on the Boston winger.
What Jake DeBrusk brings to the table
This season, Jake DeBrusk was a solid contributor for the Boston Bruins, scoring 19 goals and 21 assists. Although his production was a far cry from his 2022-23 season with Boston (27 goals, 23 assists that season), he can still produce at a good clip. That's especially true with the power play, where he has 30 career goals and 31 career assists on the unit.
Another benefit of having the Edmonton native in Vegas is his good bill of health. He's played in 465 games during his seven-year career, with the winger being a consistent part of Boston's lineup, health-wise. For a team like the Vegas Golden Knights, that would be a boon considering their struggles to stay healthy in the past few seasons.
Of course, there are other positive attributes to his game, including being a good two-way forward. Given his size, he'd have no problem contributing to Bruce Cassidy's philosophy during his tenure, a head coach he's also familiar with. Offensively, he finds the net easily and has an incredible handle on the puck, making him a valuable pickup.
Why DeBrusk isn't the best fit
If there's one thing that can improve for Jake DeBrusk, it's improving his play off the puck. He can get lost in the play and let opposing offensive players get past him, which can cause problems. The 27-year-old can also only play the left wing position, which would leave the Vegas Golden Knights handicapped. How can Bruce Cassidy work his lineup and make necessary adjustments if one of the players is tied to a singular position?
Speaking of the wing position, DeBrusk is largely inconsistent as an offensive player. There are times when he can be on fire and scorch the earth with his goals (for example, his series against Florida). Then, there are times when he's ice cold, with Boston's series against Toronto being a shining example. The first-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft didn't score for the last four games of that series, being completely shut out. He's also clashed with Cassidy in the past, which was a part of why the head coach was out of Boston. That personality clash could rear its ugly head again.
There also might be concern that he's too pricey for Vegas to even touch. The Boston winger was a cap hit of $4 million this season, with his AAV steadily going up. Now whether that's the case this offseason remains to be seen. However, the Edmonton native is 27 years old and can score goals, which means he should fetch a decent contract in free agency.
The verdict
Overall, it'd be worth bringing in Jake DeBrusk if the price was right. Considering the mass exodus of forwards hitting the Vegas Golden Knights this summer, they need quality players on the higher lines. With the Boston forward, he can become a mainstay for Vegas and boost the team offensively.
However, there will be stiff competition for the 27-year-old's services when the offseason rolls around. There will be teams such as the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers that need goal-scorers on their higher lines. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs will also need some bodies for the forward position as well, which means the Golden Knights could be priced out.
Still, that shouldn't deter Vegas from kicking the tires on the Edmonton native. He brings plenty of solid skills to the table and can boost a team offensively. That's especially true with his special teams abilities, where he can boost the much-maligned unit.
Considering that health has been a major problem for the gray and gold in recent years, it wouldn't hurt to bring in a player who can stick to a consistent schedule. That's why Kelly McCrimmon should consider going after the Boston forward in free agency, for the return could bring plenty of good fortune for the club further down the road.
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