Bruins in Limbo Ahead of Deadline, Update on Jake DeBrusk

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated 4/8/21

What the Boston Bruins do before the NHL trade deadline on Monday will be interesting, and quite frankly, anyone’s guess. Many think the Bruins will try to make a pitch to add before April 12th while others aren’t so sure. The team is dealing with injuries, they’ve pretty much got a playoff spot locked down (although a rough run could change things) and this team is aging, most of their scoring coming from the top line.

Is this the year the Bruins try to make a push knowing the core isn’t getting any younger? Or, is this a season where the Bruins figure they’re not deep enough and too banged up to really be a contender? This is the type of team that could get bounced out of the postseason early, or go on a deeper run if the pieces come together.

#NHLBruins Jake DeBrusk on returning to game action for the first time in over two weeks: "I feel ready to go, obviously it will be a little bit different with game pace and game level, but that for me is all I really care about." pic.twitter.com/GDI8mfi8SD
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 5, 2021

Ideally, the Bruins need a top-four defenseman and a top-six wing. They’ve had these same needs all season. Over the next four of five days, we’ll be keeping a close eye on some of the bigger names in Boston, among them, Jake DeBrusk. He might be the most interesting option on the market for a player who has term, team control and upside if a franchise is looking to go beyond adding a rental, but thinking more long-term. A report from The Athletic suggests that “teams continue to call the Bruins to inquire about DeBrusk and get a sense of what it would take to acquire the 24-year-old winger.” They write that he’s attractive — despite a lack of production this season — because his scoring doesn’t drop off in the playoffs. “He has 14 goals in 49 career playoff games,” they write.

How Likely Is A DeBrusk Trade?

The question will become, are the Bruins willing to move DeBrusk? Much of that will depend on how they view their own team heading into Monday. It’s not likely DeBrusk is traded. That said, what if a team comes forward with an offer that’s better than Boston envisioned? Would GM Don Sweeney consider it?

DeBrusk is returning to game action this week so it’s difficult to know what he’ll offer a team this season. He played April 5th and 6th and didn’t produce on the scoresheet, playing more than 15 minutes per game. He’s got three goals and seven points in 23 games this season.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: