Jake DeBrusk came down with an illness Saturday, and it didn't take long for one corner of Vancouver Canucks Twitter to have him packing for Toronto.
The actual news is simple. Manny Malhotra said DeBrusk showed up sick at Rogers Arena and won't play tonight against Calgary, per Thomas Drance.
Then came the fun part. An account called Cutting Edge Comics posted that there was "some chatter" about Toronto and Vancouver talking trade.
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That version had DeBrusk heading to the Leafs for Miles Wood and a draft pick, described as "likely a big one."
That's a comic shop account, not Elliotte Friedman, and Malhotra's explanation was an illness, nothing more.
It's a buddy spotting your car at a dealership and announcing you're buying a new truck. Sometimes you're just getting an oil change.
Does the rumor even make sense? Miles Wood just arrived in Toronto in Monday's trade with Columbus.
I know #canucks are saying DeBrusk is ill but there is some chatter that TOR + VAN are talking trade. DeBrusk to TOR for Miles Wood and draft pick - likely a big one.
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Major Maple Leafs-Canucks trade pitch would send Jake DeBrusk to Toronto
Dreger suggested earlier this week that Toronto isn't done dealing, with holes on the blue line still to fill.
Jake McCabe left the opener early, before returning for the win over the Islanders, which only kept that conversation going.
DeBrusk is a forward, which makes the fan version of this deal a strange fit for what the Leafs are reportedly chasing.
He has one assist through two games and carries a $5,500,000 cap hit.
The Canucks list him as out until at least October 4.
Vancouver's offense hasn't leaned on him yet, with Elias Pettersson, Marco Rossi, Paul Cotter and Filip Hronek at four points apiece.
Wood, meanwhile, came over with Kirill Marchenko and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins in the deal that sent Matthew Knies to Columbus.
Jim Hiller's Leafs host Ottawa tonight at 1-1-0, after losing their opener to Montreal and beating the Islanders.
The Canucks are also 1-1-0 and host Calgary tonight before Vegas visits on Sunday.
Fans are allowed to have fun on a Saturday. But until someone with a real track record reports it, DeBrusk's biggest opponent this weekend is a thermometer.
Would you make a Jake DeBrusk for Miles Wood trade if you were the Leafs?
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