It has been several months since Jake DeBrusk’s desire for a change of scenery and trade from the Boston Bruins became public, but as of now, he’s still wearing the Spoked-B.
His recent hot streak, which includes four total goals scored in three consecutive games, plus an assist in Boston's 3-1 victory in San Jose Saturday in helping the B’s rack up eight out of a possible eight points, may be the key development the 25-year-old left wing needs to have his request met.
On the one hand, it’s good to see the former first-round pick from 2015, a draft that has become a lightning rod of criticism for the club’s long-term future, get his old scoring touch back. DeBrusk was chosen ahead of other highly-regarded forwards like Kyle Connor, Sebastian Aho, Mat Barzal, Travis Konecny and Brock Boeser because the Bruins believed he was a better bet for NHL success.
After he tallied 27 goals in 68 games during his 2018-19 sophomore campaign, helping Boston reach Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final that spring, it certainly appeared that Don Sweeney and his scouts had hit on the pick and found a left shot sniper to complement David Pastrnak’s lethal touch on the right side.
A little under three years later, it hasn’t worked out that way, and after physical (he has never played more than 70 games in a regular season) and mental challenges during the pandemic, DeBrusk’s days in Boston appear numbered. The good news for both the player and team is that his recent scoring run has set the stage for Sweeney to get a much better return as contending teams will likely see the value in adding a player with his pure speed, shot and natural knack for finding the back of the net.
In Boston’s overtime victory against Seattle on Thursday, the team’s 30th victory, DeBrusk secured the critical extra point when he took a neutral zone drop pass from Charlie Coyle, drove wide into the offensive zone and forced former Boston teammate Marcus Johansson to scramble in an effort to contain him. As Kraken netminder Philipp Grubauer pushed left-to-right to seal the post, he seemed to get fooled by DeBrusk and a double-clutch move, making an extra lateral push. As Grubauer did that, he moved his blocker arm enough that DeBrusk saw it and rifled the puck through the daylight between the goalie’s body and arm, ending the game just 33 seconds into the extra frame.
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Pure finishers are always in demand because they can sense those opportunities, but also have the skill to hit them. He’s not in the class of those other forwards the B’s passed on to select him 14th overall, but DeBrusk’s combination of speed, skill and sense makes him a valuable commodity as the March 21 NHL trade deadline approaches.
What a difference 3 months makes
At the time DeBrusk’s trade request went public in early December, he had scored just three goals in 18 games. With just a single tally in 11 November games, the timing put Sweeney into a tough spot.
With his age, ability and a pending status as a restricted free agent on a reasonable $3.675 million cap hit, DeBrusk is one of Boston’s true trade chips. At the same time, taking him out of the lineup with a playoff berth still up for grabs would be risky for the GM. Having said that, making deals in the NHL is the same as in business: you try to do so from a position of strength. Sweeney avoided the temptation to simply wash his hands of the situation and take what he could get. Although he reportedly fielded offers from multiple interested teams, he held the line on the value he felt DeBrusk should fetch, and three months later, No. 74 is still a Bruin.
The big difference now, of course, is that DeBrusk is scoring and helping his team win games at a time when the Eastern Conference wild card race is heating up, given the recent resurgence of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
His 11 goals in 46 games is more than double his scoring total from a year ago in a similar amount of contests. He could be a valuable asset for a club that is capable of giving up a prime younger asset to Boston and perhaps a higher pick in exchange for the experience and scoring upside DeBrusk provides — not to mention the ability to retain his services on a contract extension in the offseason. He’s not a rental, so it’s a good situation for Sweeney and the Bruins, a marked improvement from where it started.
Option 1: Keep DeBrusk in Boston, re-sign him in summer
With the team just two games into the longest road trip of the season, now is probably not the time to try and move DeBrusk even with his value high. Besides, with his recent uptick in offense, it is natural to ask whether DeBrusk would rescind the trade request and stick it out in Boston.
He was asked that very thing after he was the first star in Seattle, a performance that wasn’t just about the goals, but a complete effort with physicality and energy.
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DeBrusk, playing his best hockey this season, was diplomatic and left room to speculate on what he didn’t say.
“I had a meeting with the guys I think when it first kind of hit or first got out there and I told them I wouldn’t be a distraction, so I respectfully plead the fifth on all of those,” DeBrusk said. “I just want to talk about the game and stuff. And obviously, like you said, I haven’t talked to you guys in a while, so it’s a fair question, but I won’t be answering that.”
When on top of his game, confident and scoring, there is no denying that he brings the right elements to any winning team. Boston developed him, and the organization would no doubt like to see him overcome the setbacks to become an established veteran with longevity. The chances of that happening might be diminished, but are not an impossibility, especially if he keeps scoring and playing a key role.
Option 2: Move him before the trade deadline
Because of the success of other players selected after him, DeBrusk has become a polarizing figure in Boston, and there is a vocal fan element that would prefer to see the B’s simply move on from him.
So what could Sweeney get in return?
The more we look at it, the better the chances are that DeBrusk would appeal to a contending team that wants an upgrade on the wing. That team might have a younger player not quite ready for prime time, but due a raise from an entry-level deal. Such a player might represent a short-term step back for Boston, but could become a key piece in the future. The time to get a GM to part with a prime young piece is during a playoff push, when other teams will be loading up.
Teams who have the assets and cap flexibility to make a move for DeBrusk are in the Western Conference. Anaheim, Nashville, Minnesota and Colorado would likely have interest in adding another gun for the left side and have the assets send back.
Clubs not in playoff contention may not be as interested in paying a premium for DeBrusk, as they can sell at the deadline and do a slower rebuild.
Should Sweeney decide to keep DeBrusk, a third option to trade him in the offseason becomes more likely.
Bruins make trade with Arizona for Bay State prospect
Boston acquired Providence College senior defenseman Mike Callahan’s rights from the Arizona Coyotes for a seventh-round pick in 2024, the team announced this week.
The 22-year-old Franklin, Mass. native is in his final season of NCAA eligibility, and is free to sign an entry-level contract with the Bruins once his season ends. He would be an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any team if he does not come to terms with Boston by August 15.
The mobile, 6-foot-2, 205-pound Callahan projects as more of a defense-first, efficient puck mover at the pro level. He posted a career high five goals and 28 points in 34 games as a sophomore with the Friars in 2019-20. A three-year captain for his team, the former Roxbury Latin star brings high character and a strong work ethic to the mix on the left side of any defensive group he skates with.
It’s a solid move for the B’s, who have done a good job of identifying and signing college captains as free agents in the past who have gone on to be impact players and versatile contributors in Boston. While Callahan is not in the same category by virtue of the trade, the team is hoping for similar success to that of Torey Krug, Kevan Miller, Noel Acciari (Johnston, R.I.) and more recently, current Providence Bruins rearguard Jack Ahcan, who has seen time in Boston this season and is on track for bigger role with his skill and grit.
