When the Boston Bruins re-signed Jake DeBrusk in Novemeber, they were hoping that the 24-year-old second-line left wing would pick up his offensive production where he left off last season.
After scoring 16 goals as a rookie in 2017-18, he potted a career-high 27 goals a year later, before finishing one goal short of a second consecutive 20-goal season last year with 19 in a shortened 70-game season. It is easy to see why the Bruins were hoping that he could continue his scoring flanked to the left of David Krejci, but things have not gone as expected this season.
Signing a two-year bridge deal in November for $7.35 million with a $3.675 yearly million cap hit, DeBrusk has fallen from the graces of coach Bruce Cassidy and one has to wonder if a change of scenery might do him and possibly the Bruins good.
A Jake for Jake trade for the Bruins and Canucks could work.
Early in the season, the Bruins and general manager Don Sweeney have been linked to many players in possible trades. One name that the Black and Gold have been tied to is Vancouver Canucks left wing Jake Virtanen. Like DeBrusk, the right-winger is having his struggles with the Canucks and he is another player that could benefit from a change of scenery.
The 6th overall pick by Vancouver in the 2014 Entry Draft, he has struggled to reach his potential. In 299 career games, he has 51 goals and 45 assists. His best season was in 2019-20 when he career-highs in goals (18), assists (18), and points (36). He had a career-high six power play goals as well. This season for the Canucks, he has just one goal in 20 games with a minus-3.
DeBrusk, selected 14th overall in the first round of the 2015 Entry Draft, is not faring much better with the Bruins. He has just one goal, on the power play, three assists, and minus-3. He has dropped to the third line and has been replaced by Nick Ritchie who has impressed early in the season.
DeBrusk also lost his spot on the Bruins power play, again replaced by Ritchie, and just doesn’t look like the player he has been in previous seasons. Yes, he has had issues with inconsistent play, but this season has been a struggle from the first shift. He seems invisible most nights.