The Bruins’ relationship with top-six winger Jake DeBrusk has been roller coaster-like, seeing their 2015 14th-overall pick submit and rescind a trade request over his seven-season tenure with the team. Now slated to be a UFA for the first time this summer, there hasn’t been any progress between the two parties on an extension, DeBrusk said Wednesday (via Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald).
The likelihood of DeBrusk extending likely has little bearing on Boston’s deadline plans – unless they feel they can package him for an upgrade. Sitting at second in the Atlantic Division and hungry to avenge last season’s massive upset at the hands of the Panthers in the first round, the Bruins can ill-afford to solely detract from their overachieving forward group.
Moving him at the deadline would also be selling low on the three-time 25-goal scorer. He’s been underwhelming this year with 13 goals, 14 assists and 27 points in 58 games, under a 40-point pace for only the second time in his career.
The 27-year-old does cost $4MM against the cap, though, and if he informs the Bruins he’s willing to discuss extensions with other teams, he could help Boston clear any financial hurdle in trade talks. DeBrusk has been a full-time Bruin ever since his NHL debut in 2017, recording 132 goals, 121 assists and 253 points in 443 games throughout his NHL career.
- Flipping from pending UFA forward to long-term defenseman, Hampus Lindholm has been ruled out of the Bruins’ two remaining games this week, head coach Jim Montgomery said (via Scott McLaughlin of WEEI 93.7 FM). Lindholm has missed four games with an undisclosed injury that sidelined him on a week-to-week basis after a Feb. 19 contest against the Stars, and he’s yet to practice with the team following the injury. He skated on his own before this morning’s practice and will be evaluated closer to the weekend, per Montgomery, so more clarity on his return to the lineup could come ahead of two crucial contests next week against the Maple Leafs, their likely first-round playoff opponent.
- Center Morgan Geekie was a full participant in practice today after taking a puck to his right cheek against the Kraken on Monday, albeit in a full face shield, The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa reports. The former Seattle and Carolina pivot has been a revelation in the third-line center spot, hitting the 10-goal plateau for the first time and on pace for career highs with 27 points in 54 games. Averaging 15:26 per game, his $2MM cap hit through 2025 looks like a bargain-bin pickup for GM Don Sweeney. He’s set to reprise his third-line role with wingers Trent Frederic and Danton Heinen against the Golden Knights tomorrow.
DeBrusk is a 3rd line winger at best, I see him gone on or before the deadline to an Alberta team.
We can only hope they get something in return!