It was reported yesterday afternoon that current Boston Bruins’ forward Jake DeBrusk has requested a trade. The 25-year old left wing has seen a rapid decline in production the past three season. His point total, which was 43 and then 42 during his first two season in the league, has decreased to 35, 14, and then only six in 17 games played this season. Why should the New Jersey Devils pursue the former 14th overall pick?
The Play
The tools are certainly there. DeBrusk showed all the signs of becoming a 30-goal scorer in his first two seasons in the league. He tallied 27 in 68 games played during the 2018-19 season while only skating 16-minutes of ice time per night. Per JFreshHockey on Twitter, DeBrusk ranks in the league’s 77th percentile in terms of finishing over the past three seasons. He is a goal-scorer, something the Devils certainly can use more of. Furthermore, his offensive abilities are there. Per the below player card, DeBrusk ranks in the league’s 51st percentile offensively. The two bars on the far left indicate his positive impact, both actual and expected, overall offensively the past three seasons.
DeBrusk has surprisingly been very stable in his own end as well. Over the last three seasons, he ranks in the league’s 52nd percentile defensively. His total defensive rating, per Evolving-Hockey, over the past three seasons is 5.3. In that same time period, Nico Hischier, who many tout for his defensive abilities, has a defensive rating of 2.2. This is another area, especially among the team’s forward group, where New Jersey needs to improve.
Rounding Out the Top-Nine
As it stands, the New Jersey Devils are actually doing a very good job of generating offensive chances. The team ranks fifth in Corsi-for per 60 (CF/60) and seventh in expected goals-for per 60 (xGF/60) in the league so far this season. So, as these statistics paint the Devils are generating quantity (CF/60) and quality (xGF/60). Adding DeBrusk would help not only produce more quantity, but hopefully turn that quantity into goals via his finishing ability. Especially if you position him on Jack Hughes’ left-wing.
It is well-known Hughes is a budding superstar in this league. Putting DeBrusk and his scoring abilities next to him would most likely help Hughes take an even larger step forward. It would also given the Devils much needed forward depth up and down their group of 12. A projection of what lines can look like with DeBrusk is below:
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| Pavel Zacha | Nico Hischier | Tomas Tatar |
| Jake DeBrusk | Jack Hughes | Yegor Sharangovich |
| Andreas Johnsson | Dawson Mercer | Jesper Bratt |
| Janne Kuokkanen | Michael McLeod | Nathan Bastian |
The above would be the most complete forward group the Devils have had in years. The top-nine, any of which line can be given first-line minutes, is extremely deep and features just about a little bit of everything.
It’s Not That Easy
As is a lot of things in life, bringing in DeBrusk and him fitting right away may not be as easy as it seems. Of course, the acquisition would be in the form of a trade. Given the formal trade request, as well as the fact DeBrusk has been a healthy scratch and only has six points this season, his value may be as low as it has ever been. Despite this, he is only 25-years old and is under team control. His two-year, $7,350,000 contract expires at the end of this season which will result in him becoming a restricted free agent. So, maybe the value is not too low after all.
Also, there is some concern about his production. If there wasn’t, Boston would not be scratching him and he most likely would not only have six points this season. Additionally, as apparent in the chart above, his finishing ability has fallen off a cliff as of late. There is no doubt some risk to bringing DeBrusk in.
Conclusion
Jake DeBrusk, despite the inherent risk, fits general manger Tom Fitzgerald’s team-building mindset right now. He is young, under team control, and a goal-scoring wing who can bring stability to a top-nine group that could use more depth. Skate him alongside Jack Hughes, and it should not only help Hughes take that next step but help DeBrusk regain his prior form. Add in the fact the only 25-year old should come at a bit of a discount given the healthy scratches and poor production this season, and general manger Tom Fitzgerald should be all over it.