Metropolitan Team Eyeing Bruins Forward
With most of the top unrestricted free agents finding new homes, the options for team improvement have narrowed down to the trade market.
Among the potential candidates, Jake DeBrusk of the Boston Bruins and Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks could provide the needed boost for the team.
Brock Boeser's potential move to the Islanders holds promise, considering the history between the two teams.
The past trade that involved Horvat heading south and Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Raty, and a first-round draft pick moving north has established a precedent for collaboration.
Boeser, at 26 years old, could serve as an excellent playmaker on the right wing. His performance of 18 goals and 55 points in 74 games last season showcases his skills, especially given his intermittent presence on the first powerplay unit.
Boeser's strong skating abilities make him an asset to either Brock Nelson's wing or a potential reunion with Horvat. With a remaining two years on his contract, he could be a valuable multi-season acquisition for New York.
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Jake DeBrusk, who expressed the desire for a trade from Boston last year, surprised with an impressive season as part of the Bruins. Notably, he achieved a career-high of 50 points in 64 games.
With retirements affecting Boston's roster, the need for an upgrade in the center position becomes apparent. Jean-Gabriel Pageau could potentially step in as a reliable two-way center in exchange for DeBrusk.
Versatile enough to play on either wing, DeBrusk has proven himself with 27 and 25 goals over the past two years. Considering his effective performance last season, his $4 million contract stands as a remarkable deal for the 26-year-old.
As things currently stand, the Islanders remain strong contenders in the Metropolitan Division's upcoming season. However, their scoring capacity could use an improvement.
A trade for either Boeser or DeBrusk might just be the remedy they seek. A return to goal-scoring form for Bo Horvat combined with the potential trade acquisitions could pave the way for the Islanders to reclaim their back-to-back Eastern Conference Final presence in 2024.
