BHN Daily: DeBrusk In NHL Trade Rumors Again; Will Bruins Trade Him?

Make no mistake, Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk’s name is once again circulating the NHL trade rumor circuit.

“He’s out there again but at what price,” an NHL scout commented to Boston Hockey Now on Saturday.

That came a day after DeBrusk acknowledged a brutal season that saw him battle COVID and establish a regular spot in head coach Bruce Cassidy’s doghouse as a more frequent healthy scratch. When the April 12 NHL trade deadline approached, DeBrusk was once again a mainstay in NHL Trade rumors. The speculation and criticism amongst fans and media alike admittedly got to DeBrusk.

“I need to revamp some stuff. There were a lot of factors that went into this year. Things that I could control and [things that I] couldn’t control. I dealt with a lot of negativity as well. It’s one of those things that it’s something you have to learn, as you sign up. I’m a big boy, I can handle that, I just became a little bit of an easy target,” said DeBrusk, who scored just five goals this past season. “My haters had a lot to say this year. It’s one of those things where, like I said, just have to revamp some things with training and a different mindset.

“My mindset is an interesting place right now. Every year it’s obviously different, disappointing obviously while hopes were high. I’ve disappointed myself, and my team. I’m looking forward to this [coming] year, I’ve got to prove a lot of people wrong.”

Prior to signing Jake DeBrusk to his current two-year contract that carries a $3.6 salary cap hit, Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney acknowledged and almost cryptically confirmed the NHL trade rumors that he was listening to trade offers for DeBrusk.

“Having conversations, I’m pretty aware of how teams are valuing players on our roster, Sweeney said on October 2. “So, I have to look at it and say, ok, does that mean we have the internal growth available to fill that spot? Anytime you look at moving players in and out, you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul in the situation. We have to understand that. Where we have depth in our organization and where we’re trying to improve is an area that we have to understand and there is always exposure and risk associated with that.”

On November 23, Sweeney inked the new bridge deal with DeBrusk, and hopes were high that the 24-year-old DeBrusk could regain the form from his 27-goal campaign in the 2018-19 season after a 16-goal setback in 2019-20. Sweeney may not get as much for DeBrusk on the NHL trade market now but considering DeBrusk’s mindset being in ‘an interesting place’ will he decide it’s best for all involved if he cuts his losses and Paul pays Peter back?

Now on to the rest of your BHN Daily Links!

National Hockey Now

Could the Boston Bruins be looking for someone to coach their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins soon? (BHN)

Boston Bruins center David Krejci really has no idea if he will be back in Black and Gold next season. (BHN)

Casey Cizikas and the New York Islanders have revenge on their minds as they prepare to play the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup semifinals series today (3 PM ET, NBC). (NYI Hockey Now)

Here’s how the Bolts and Isles lineup! (NYI Hockey Now)

The Vegas Golden Knights are hoping their depth shines again in their Stanley Cup Playoffs semifinals series with the Montreal Canadiens. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Give Knights head coach Pete DeBoer credit, his gamble starting Robin Lehner over Marc-Andre Fleury in Game 1 of the second round series with the Avs paid off. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Some leftover thoughts from a disappointing end to the 2021 Colorado Avalanche season. (Colorado Hockey Now)

The Pittsburgh Penguins and every NHL team should be studying the Islanders-Lightning series closer if they want to compete for the Stanley Cup. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Joel Quenneville led the Florida Panthers back to respectability and the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season and was recognized for that by being nominated for the Jack Adams Award. (Florida Hockey Now)

Could the Detroit Red Wings start to reinvest in European scouting as they did during their dynasty years? (Detroit Hockey Now)

Who will the San Jose Sharks target on the UFA market? (San Jose Hockey Now)

NHL

Once again, the salary cap has proved to be taxing to too many NHL clubs. (NY Post)

A week ago it was reported in my ‘Off The Record’ column that the Buffalo Sabres were once considering one last hail mary effort to keep Jack Eichel in Buffalo by potentially hiring Eichel’s former college coach David Quinn. Well, numerous reports this past week indicate that the Sabres ditched that and any other ideas they had to keep Eichel and he is officially on the NHL Trade market. (Buffalo News)