With the calendar ready to flip to June, the Pittsburgh Penguins are one month away from the opening of NHL free agency. The Penguins' list of needs extends to many areas of the lineup, but adding a proven goal-scoring winger should be high on their wishlist.
Jake DeBrusk has been rumored to be in the Penguins' sights for some time now. The most recent set of rumors circulated around the trade deadline had DeBrusk as part of a hypothetical three-team trade involving Jake Guentzel.
DeBrusk is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st but has shown interest in signing an extension with the Boston Bruins. However, a deal has yet to be signed despite the Bruins having over $20 million in salary cap space available this offseason. Outside of goaltender Jeremy Swayman, DeBrusk is the biggest name the Bruins have left to re-sign.
The 27-year-old winger's production slightly regressed in 2023-24, scoring 19 goals and 40 total points in 80 games. He made up for some struggles with a stellar playoff performance (5G-11Pts-13GP). One of the Bruins' most complete players, DeBrusk saw time on both special teams units and is considered by many to be a solid 200-foot player.
If the Penguins finally bring him to Pittsburgh, he would likely battle Michael Bunting and Drew O'Connor for positioning on the left. DeBrusk's net-front offense, scoring 12 of his 19 goals from high-danger areas, would be a stellar fit with Penguins first-liners Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust.
The Bruins are publicly in favor of bringing back DeBrusk, but if the business of hockey steps in, the Penguins should be among those who call DeBrusk's camp on July 1st.
