Why a Debrusk [Bruins] for Pacioretty [Golden Knights] Trade Might Work

Our friends over at Black N’ Gold Hockey posed an interesting question that we’d like to pose to our readers as well. Considering the rumors surrounding a possible trade of Max Pacioretty out of Vegas and after a bit of an uncertain offseason that saw Jake DeBrusk finally get a bridge deal done with the Boston Bruins, the question they posed is… ‘Should the Bruins trade Jake DeBrusk for Max Pacioretty?’

Related: Pacioretty Trade Talk a Smoke Screen For Different Golden Knights Move?

The last time we did an NHL trade debate, we asked if the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets should swap Patrick Laine and Matthew Tkachuk? The results were almost exclusively against the Flames making such a trade, many suggesting Tkachuk adds more value to his team. We’re guessing that a DeBrusk-for-Pacioretty trade may yield similarly one-sided results.

Still, we’re curious and there’s a few reasons the two teams might consider such a deal.

From the Bruins Perspective

The Bruins are looking to improve this season after having not done much in the 2020 offseason. While their focus should be (and likely is) on the blue line, they may be without both David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand to open the season. A 32-goal scorer in Pacioretty would be a nice addition.

The Bruins don’t really have the cap space to make this deal straight across as the two players have a net difference of $3.325 million — the Bruins would have to take on that much more to their cap. That said, with one or two smaller moves, the team could get under the cap without a huge issue.

So too, as the site accurately points out, the Bruins know Pacioretty well from his many years as a Montreal Canadiens forward and he could be the left-winger the Bruins have been seeking to pair with David Krejci.

The problem with this trade is that many will argue DeBrusk is not equal value for Pacioretty straight across, but there are a couple things to consider. First, DeBrusk’s contract is extremely team-friendly which helps Vegas a lot in their quest to get below the cap space ceiling. Second, DeBrusk is an RFA at the end of his current deal which has value. It’s unlikely Vegas would re-sign Patches at the end of his current deal.

This would mean making a long-term sacrifice for the benefit of opening the short-term window to win a little wider, but the Bruins want to win now and there’s pressure to repeat as Presidents’ Trophy Winners. It also means not improving on defense where the Bruins arguably need the most help.

Related: Jaromir Jagr Back to Begin 33rd Pro Hockey Season

From the Golden Knights Perspective

If Vegas is open to moving Pacioretty, it’s possible they are looking at more of a salary dump than they are getting back anything of real value. This is not to suggest the Golden Knights are willing to give Pacioretty away, but the reports are the team wants to clear some cap space and dip their toes back into the free agent market. Adding only DeBrusk would help them do so, even if what they add is a smaller piece with the leftover money.

Many have criticized the idea that Vegas would move a 32-goal guy just to save money and that doing so would be the team spinning their wheels and not necessarily getting better in the process. But, DeBrusk is a legitimate player with high ceiling. He’s inconsistent, but he could score 20 goals quite easily in the right situation.

The Golden Knights could certainly do much worse than this as a return if that’s all they got.

So would you do it? Knowing that this might not be a one-for-one deal and leaving room to accept smaller pieces might need to be thrown in to get the deal done, is this worth doing for either side? And if so, who gets the benefit of such a trade?

Next: Pacioretty Slams Montreal Market While Addressing Vegas Trade Rumors