Jake DeBrusk Is Getting What He Wants...But He Still Wants To Be Traded

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Jake DeBrusk requested a trade earlier in the season. He had been bouncing around between the third and fourth line without much production or enthusiasm to play. Yet here we are months later, and he is still wearing the eight spoked B. DeBrusk has been moved up to the top line and is playing on his off wing, the right side. Here is how he has fared so far:

2/24 vs the Kraken - 2 goals, including the game winner

2/26 vs the Sharks - one assist on the go ahead goal

2/28 vs the Kings - natural hat trick, first career hat trick

3/1 vs the Ducks - no points

You have to admit, that is pretty impressive. Even on the fourth line his production picked up. The five game point streak was snapped in the loss against the Ducks. He also has seven goals in six games. You would think that means the trade talk and speculation would be shut down, but that is not the case.

How Things Change

First, let’s break down the current line combinations:

First line: Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Jake DeBrusk

Second line: Taylor Hall, Erik Haula, David Pasternak

Third line: Trent Frederic, Charlie Coyle, Craig Smith

Fourth line: Tomas Nosek at center with a revolving door at both wing spots

The second line has been cooking since Pasternak moved down, and the new third line has generated a spark. The fourth line has been steady all year with Nosek in the middle. Anton Blidh had a lot of reps at left wing while Nick Foligno is getting time there now. On the right side, Curtis Lazar was the guy - but he is dealing with an injury. Jesper Froden has had his opportunities since then. DeBrusk played both wings on the fourth line and is now settling into the top line. With this recent string of success, it makes sense to stick with it is unless injuries come up. Trading DeBrusk now doesn’t make any sense. With him playing with Bergeron and Marchand, the rest of the lines have finally been able to find some continuity.

Repercussions

Folks, if Jake DeBrusk still wants out after getting his opportunity as a top line player, that tells you everything you need to know about him. This is straight up sabotage. If he leaves, the Bruins need to go out and find another right wing that may not gel well with Marchand and Bergeron. It wouldn’t be wise to mess with the chemistry of the other lines. The only player from the Providence Bruins that has come up to play right wing is Oskar Steen, and he hasn’t gotten called up in a while. Steen was playing on the third line and looked good overall. At this point, is DeBrusk insists on being moved, the Bruins need to get a good return.

They need an upgrade at defensemen. Jake DeBrusk for Jakob Chychrun perhaps? That could work. If Arizona throws in a prospect and a pick, there might be something there. The Coyotes recently traded the rights to Providence Friar defenseman Michael Callahan to the Bruins for a seventh round pick in 2024. Why not pick up the phone and kick the tires again? It’s certainly deflating that DeBrusk still wants no part of the Bruins despite everything the organization is trying to do for him. Sometimes guys just want to make it about them, and this looks like one of those cases in a city that certainly will not tolerate it.

Coming up:

Is there a goaltender feeling blue in St. Louis?

Former NFL receiver gets another crack in Canada

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