1. Jake DeBrusk
Last November, left wing Jake DeBrusk tested the free-agent market and after nearly a month on the open market, he returned to the Bruins on a two-year bridge deal worth $3.75 million a season.
It’s not a bad deal for both sides, but DeBrusk had a season to forget in the shortened regular season. Saying it was a struggle for Jake would be a serious understatement. He dealt with a COVID-19 shutdown, was scratched during the regular season, and then was a scratch for Game 5 of the second-round series against the Islanders with the series tied 2-2.
In 41 games in the regular-season games, he had five goals and nine assists. That was a severe letdown considering he scored 27 goals in the 2018-19 season and 19 in 65 games in 2019-20. More was expected from DeBrusk this season. In 10 playoff games this spring, he had two goals and an assist.
Expect Sweeney to get calls this summer on the availability of DeBrusk in a deal. Instead of waiting another season to see if DeBrusk can find his goal-scoring touch again, it’s time for the Bruins to cut their losses and get what they can in a trade and move on.