Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk has easily been the biggest disappointment of the 2021 campaign. After being moved up and down the lineup with no spark found, Bruce Cassidy finally bit the bullet and made DeBrusk a healthy scratch against the New York Islanders Tuesday night. Scratching DeBrusk may be the final card up Cassidy’s sleeve in an attempt to get the young winger going.
After the scratch, it wasn’t entirely a surprise when Jake DeBrusk appeared on the most recent update to TSN’s ‘Trade Bait’ board. To those unfamiliar, TSN is one of Canada’s top sports networks and employs some of the top insiders in the game with the likes of Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger, and Pierre LeBrun. Every year leading up to the trade deadline they compile and constantly update a big board ranking the most likely names to be moved.
Simply put, Jake DeBrusk being at number #10 is no coincidence. Although the article gives no impression that GM Don Sweeney is shopping DeBrusk – teams are definitely calling.
How short is Jake BeBrusk’s leash on the Boston Bruins?
Pretty short.
Scratching a player is usually the last move in an attempt to kick-start a lagging performer. One has to think if Jake DeBrusk doesn’t come back into the lineup guns a blazing – these may be his last days in the spoked B.
Look for the organization to give DeBrusk a few games to prove himself, but nothing more.
What could the Boston Bruins get in return from any Jake DeBrusk trade?
According to the article, the return coming back to the Boston Bruins in any Jake DeBrusk move could be fairly high. Pointing to his past of proven playoff performance and reasonable dollar value + terms remaining on DeBrusk’s deal at $3.675 million this year and next.
Looking at what JD has contributed to the Bruins thus far and what it sounds like he could bring back – Boston’s front office should be more than inclined to consider a deal should Jake DeBrusk remain a non-contributor.
It would be interesting to see what route the Boston Bruins would go with any Jake DeBrusk trade. DeBrusk is sounding like he could be in 1st round/A prospect territory if the Bruins decide to go that route. Boston could keep those assets or flip them in another move. On that note, Don Sweeney should see the final window for these Boston Bruins veterans and could also consider packaging JD with other assets in an all-in maneuver for a big name.
Jake DeBrusk could still be a great fit on this Boston Bruins team.
For a team that was already thin on the wings – Jake DeBrusk’s disappearance has not been a welcome sight. If DeBrusk can find his game though, he could still be a huge piece of this Boston Bruins team.
The kid that scored 27 goals two years ago is still there, but he needs to find it quickly.