**Jake DeBrusk’s Message to Bruins Fans After Signing with Canucks**
On July 1, the Boston Bruins lost a long-standing player when Jake DeBrusk signed with the Vancouver Canucks as a free agent. Two days later, DeBrusk took to social media to bid farewell to Bruins fans and express his gratitude.
“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Thank you to everyone I met and had the pleasure of knowing during my 7 years in black and gold. Boston will always have a special place in my heart, thanks to my teammates and the fans who supported me from the start! I’m very excited to start this new chapter with the Canucks! #itsshowtime #cheers,” DeBrusk posted on Instagram on July 3.
Drafted 14th overall by the Bruins in the 2015 NHL draft, DeBrusk played 465 games, scoring 138 goals and 128 assists for a total of 266 points. He joined the Canucks after completing his contract with the Bruins, becoming a free agent for the 2024-25 season. In the 2024 season, DeBrusk scored 19 goals and 21 assists in 80 regular-season games and added 11 points in 13 postseason games.
**Canucks’ Strategy in Free Agency**
Although DeBrusk wasn’t the top player in free agency, with stars like Jake Guentzel, Steven Stamkos, and Elias Lindholm available, the Canucks made him their primary target. Thomas Drance of The Athletic reported that Vancouver focused on DeBrusk, seeing him as a younger, more affordable option to strengthen their top-six forward group, rather than attempting to trade for Guentzel.
DeBrusk signed a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Canucks, carrying a $5.5 million annual cap hit and keeping him with the team until the 2030-31 season.
**Bruins’ New Signings: Lindholm and Zadorov**
Despite losing DeBrusk, Bruins fans have reasons to celebrate. The team signed former Canucks center Elias Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.2 million contract, with an annual average value of $7.75 million. This was the largest deal of the 2024 offseason.
In addition, the Bruins signed defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Canucks on a six-year, $30 million contract with a $5 million annual cap hit. Zadorov, often compared to Bruins legend Zdeno Chara, made it clear that he wants fans to respect Chara’s legacy and not call him “Big Z,” a nickname he previously had.
Overall, the Bruins’ moves have brought new excitement to their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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