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Bruins’ Coach Bruce Cassidy Does Not Hold Back With Comments

By Scott Roche

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 26: Head coach Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins reacts during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 26, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 26: Head coach Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins reacts during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 26, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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In the offseason, Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk was on the free-agent market longer than he would have liked. In the end, he re-signed with the Bruins on a two-year bridge deal for $7.35 million.

In his previous three seasons, the 14th pick in the 2015 Entry Draft scored 62 goals, including a career-high 27 in th 2019-20 season. Last season, he had 19 goals when the NHL paused their season on March 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak. With 12 games remaining on the Bruins regular-season schedule, there was little doubt that he would have had a second consecutive 20-goal season.

The 2021 season has been very disappointing, to say the least for DeBrusk. Tuesday night, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy made DeBrusk a healthy scratch against the New York Islanders, sending a message to the 24-year-old.

Bruins need more out of DeBrusk.

In 17 games this season, DeBrusk has just one goal and four assists. The only goal he did score, came on the power play on Feb. 18 at home against the New Jersey Devils.

What has led to a big decline in his stats? Nobody knows. Not even DeBrusk. Tuesday in his call with the media before the game with the first-place Islanders, Cassidy didn’t mix words when asked about DeBrusk and he was not necessarily talking about production.

"“We just feel we’re not getting the effort required. It’s not always about the scoresheet. It’s about being one of 20 guys helping you win, and sometimes it’s there, and sometimes it’s not.”"

One thing you have to love about Cassidy is that he’s honest and upfront. He doesn’t hold back any punches. But he’s right.

After starting the season 10-1-2, the Bruins have dipped lately and are on the fourth and final playoff line in the East Division. Boston has 64 goals as a team, with 32 coming from the top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak. After that, Nick Ritchie has the most goals with eight, including five on the power play.

DeBrusk’s struggles are magnified more because of the Bruins’ lack of secondary scoring. The top line can carry the team only so far. DeBrusk has fallen to the third line, lost his spot on the top power play unit, and just doesn’t look like the first-round pick he was. He has been invisible too many nights this season.

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If the Bruins are going to get through the 2021 East Division, finish in the top four to get a postseason berth, and look to make a playoff run, they need DeBrusk to come out of his slump and do it quickly, both with effort and production. If things don’t turn around, then Don Sweeney might be forced to move on from DeBrusk and get someone in return that could fill the void that they have not got from their 2015 first-round selection.

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