After initially requesting a trade from the Boston Bruins back in November, forward Jake DeBrusk has rescinded that request, reports TSN’s Ryan Rishaug. According to Rishaug, DeBrusks’s agent, Rick Valette and Bruins GM Don Sweeney spoke some time last week, Valette informing the Bruins that DeBrusk rescinded the request and would be happy to remain a member of the Bruins organization going forward. Rishaug adds that while DeBrusk could technically still be moved this offseason, it would be unlikely to happen at this point.
The news on DeBrusk is interesting, but perhaps not shocking, considering the sequence of events following the trade request last fall. Recall at the time, that DeBrusk had been dealing with being a healthy scratch, having just three goals and three assists in 17 games prior to the request. The 2015 first-round pick of the Bruins had a solid start to his career, putting up 120 points in 203 career games heading into 2020-21. That season, which included a myriad of unusual on and off ice changes necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, caused many players to struggle, including DeBrusk, who had just five goals and nine assists in 41 games. But, those struggles continued into the start of the 2021-22 season, causing the Bruins to sit DeBrusk, and DeBrusk to ask for a trade in return.
It’s not clear how close the team ever came to moving the winger, but he did continue to play when asked, as was his contractual obligation, and in turn, he began to produce. Over the next 60 games after the request, DeBrusk would score an impressive 22 goals to go with 14 assists, finishing the season with 25 goals and 17 assists in 77 games. The strong performance would continue into the postseason, where he had a pair of goals and a pair of assists in Boston’s seven-game first-round loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
A return to form, and regular minutes in the lineup, as well as a trade deadline that came and went with DeBrusk not only still in Boston but with an extension in-hand, made it seem less and less likely that DeBrusk would want to leave the organization, however the request was apparently never rescinded until recently. Interestingly, between the end of the season and last week, the Bruins have had several key headlines that included the firing of Head Coach Bruce Cassidy, who was replaced late last week with Jim Montgomery, an extension with Sweeney, Patrice Bergeron’s apparent desire to return to the team next season, and several key injuries that have given increased importance to the rest of the team. Ultimately, DeBrusk and Valette have not publicly given an explanation on the change.
The extension DeBrusk signed on trade deadline day runs for two-years at $4MM per season, depositing him on the UFA market after the 2024 season. Hip surgery to Brad Marchand is expected to keep the superstar forward out of the lineup for several months to start next season, and as such, could serve to elevate DeBrusk’s role, with Boston needing to find offense on the wing from another outlet for the time being. Such an opportunity may not be enough on its own to convince DeBrusk to want to be in Boston, but is an attractive opportunity to build value ahead of his trip to the UFA market in a couple of years.
Who cares! Boston has bigger problems.
Who cares? (slaps his forehead) Anyone who’d prefer that the team’s third-leading goal scorer not be disgruntled. This shouldn’t be that hard to wrap one’s head around.
I’ll give you the reason DeBrusk rescinded his trade request: Cassidy’s gone. DeBrusk’s issues were with Cassidy. That won’t be a concern now
Yea that’s exactly how I read this, maybe Cassidy really did wear out his welcome in the locker room.
thirded
Exactly. With Cassidy gone, who didn’t see this coming?
TBH I would prefer Cassidy to debrusk
Yeah Cassidy had a successful run in Beantown but coaches come and go. Their shtick can wear thin after a while. There’s just not many Popoviches or Shulas out there. Locker rooms need a fresh voice from time to time and it’s the old adage that rings true. Easier to fire 1 guy and replace him than it is 25. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it wasn’t until after Cassidy was let go that Bergeron decided to delay retirement and DeBrusk decided he’d like to stay. Now I’m not saying that Sweeney is a good GM….that would be ridiculous. But in this case, firing Cassidy was the right move. There’s lots of good coaches out there. Finding skilled forwards for the top 2 lines is a hell of a lot harder. DeBrusk and Bergeron are two such types.
He heard that Calgary was interested and said he’d rather stay lol
We appreciate you rescinding the trade request, but we are still trading you.
Not for anything remotely comparable to DeBrusk’s worth they aren’t. He’s a young goalscorer on a team-friendly contract, but he’s also had a checkered enough career that the Bruins wouldn’t even get market value for him.
I don’t dislike the player, I dislike the streakyness. I also look at the Bruins cap and realistically say you can use Jake and Carlo and maybe Reilly to move some money and maybe get assets over Smith and Foligno. Gryz is hurt, Coyle has a no movement in his contract so maybe they can sign Bergeron and do nothing else in free agency. No second line center and even Jake is playing off wing so not much right wing depth either. Could use a second pairing left shot D to.
DeBrusk for Necas? He’d be a better fit on the right side or maybe even 2C.
Not a chance.
When did the Bruins join the NBA?
Necas Is head and shoulders better than the disappearing act that Is DeBrusk.