Boston Bruins: 3 Disappointments so far in 2021

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 09: Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period in an Eastern Conference Round Robin game during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 09, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 09: Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period in an Eastern Conference Round Robin game during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 09, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
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Jan 23, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) looks to pass during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) looks to pass during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jake DeBrusk

Without a doubt, DeBrusk has been the biggest disappointment. I know, I’m not breaking any news here. After signing a two-year, $7.35 million bridge deal in November, things just haven’t worked out.

Coach Bruce Cassidy has tried just about everything. He’s had one-on-one conversations with him, his assistant coaches have done the same. He was been moved around from left wing, to right wing and up and down the top three lines. Now, Cassidy has got to the point where he’s calling out the 24-year-old about his effort on the ice.

DeBrusk was a healthy scratch Tuesday night against the Islanders on Long Island. He will be back in the lineup tonight against the New York Rangers and it will be interesting to see how he responds.

Two years after scoring a career-high 27 goals and one year after scoring 19, DeBrusk has just one in 2021, a power play lamplighter against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 18.

If DeBrusk can’t turn it around in the next couple of weeks, does Sweeney look to deal the former first-round pick? It’s too early to give up on a first-round pick, but a change of scenery might do DeBrusk good and the return could benefit the Bruins.