You admit Debrusk is not playing well but when you aren’t playing well and still scoring at a 20 goal , and above .5PPG pace then I would say that’s a Second line player.
I mean, out of all LWs to play at least half a season last year, only 44 scored over a .5PPG. Probably a few more as there are some LWs labeled as centers. Even then, if Debrusk only ended up with the 20g-23 assist totals he’s on pace for it would most certainly fall in the 40-50 range.
I think this may be a case of the grass being a little greener on the other side of the fence. Debrusk needs to start playing better but the guy has held his own for the majority of his career here as the second line wing despite being part of a pretty much 2 man line. Let’s call a duck a duck unless someone feels like listing 50-6O other left wings that are better.
Stats only tell you part of the story but not the whole. Like I said his points tally needs to higher than say a guy like Heinen because he doesn't contribute much else (this isn't meant to bump up Heinen - Jake is definitely a better player than he is). I have a picture of what a second line winger looks like in terms of their abilities, their production and the intangibles they display on the ice. That picture varies because different players bring different strengths and weaknesses to the table, but right now DeBrusk just doesn't match it in any way. He's not that far off it, but he's not there yet.
The thing about him currently 'not playing well' is that this might be his true, long-term level. For me he doesn't yet have enough better form and past results in the bank to prove that he's definitely a 45+ points, legit career 2nd liner. He can be, hopefully he will be, but the jury's still out on that one IMO. If you were a GM on another team, would you take him for your 2nd line, and pay him a proper 2nd line wage? Right now I wouldn't. Too risky.