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Contrary to the reports, the Leafs never had a chance to sign coveted UFA winger

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Mike Armenti
July 17, 2024 (12:34)

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Jake DeBrusk smiles for the camera during warmups

Photo credit: Matthew J. Lee / Globe Staff

Despite several reports ahead of July 1st, it is now abundantly clear that the Toronto Maple Leafs never stood a chance to sign Jake DeBrusk.

After the previous negotiations between Jake DeBrusk and the Boston Bruins soured the player and left him seeking a trade at one point, the two sides were able to come to terms on a short-term deal that walked him straight to free agency.

DeBrusk was linked to the Maple Leafs on a number of occasions by a number of reputable reporters ahead of July 1st, but when it came time to sign on the dotted line, DeBrusk wasted no time in inking a 7-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks worth $5.5M per season.

This week, DeBrusk appeared on the Cam and Strick podcast, sharing some insight as how just how competitive the Bruins' series against the Leafs truly was. DeBrusk called the first round the hardest round to win outside of the Stanley Cup Final, and he also said something that made it very clear that the Leafs never had a hope in hell of signing him as a free agent.

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"The first round is a gauntlet. The first round is always, I think it might be the hardest, if not the Finals, because there's so much stuff that can go on. Like, it's just everyone's fresh, everyone's healthy, it's usually just a battle, right? But it does feel good in the room, obviously, winning a series and yeah, I do like beating the Leafs. It's been fun."

DeBrusk delivered the last line with a smirk on his face, so you know that the Leafs simply were off the table for him. He clearly never viewed them as a realistic option for him.

At any rate, the Leafs opted to spend their money on their blueline and in net this offseason, inking Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jani Hakanpaa (pending a physical), and Anthony Stolarz, which are probably better investments than a mediocre winger who got above mediocre money.

Source for cap information: PuckPediaJake DeBrusk salary info

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Ex-Maple Leaf Jack Campbell embarks upon a serious lifestyle change

With Bertuzzi gone, an ex-Leaf reveals who should flank Auston Matthews

NHL prospects reveal insane bulking diet, including 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners

POLL
17 JUILLET \| 315 ANSWERS Contrary to the reports, the Leafs never had a chance to sign coveted UFA winger Would you have been happy if the Leafs had signed Jake DeBrusk to a 7-year deal at $5.5M per season, instead of Vancouver?
Yes, DeBrusk would have been a great add	107	34 %
No, too much money and term for DeBrusk	169	53.7 %
I'd have been okay with it, but not thrilled	39	12.4 %
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