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The subject of trade rumors over the past two seasons, Jake DeBrusk surprised the hockey world by signing a two-year, $8-million contract extension with the Boston Bruins before the 2022 trade deadline.
While some observers saw that move as an attempt by the Bruins to improve his off-season trade value, the 25-year-old winger could be making himself too invaluable to move.
That’s the view of The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa, pointing out DeBrusk’s improved performance after joining Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand on the Bruins’ top line. He has 14 goals and 19 points in 22 games since that move in mid-February. DeBrusk exceeded the 20-goal plateau for the second time in his five-season NHL career, sitting third with 21 goals among Bruins scorers.
Shinzawa believes the Bruins have no desire to move DeBrusk based on his recent play. He thinks GM Don Sweeney could set a higher asking price than he did at the trade deadline if any rival general managers come calling during the off-season.
Sweeney could be willing to retain DeBrusk but does the winger want to remain beyond this season? Signing an extension worth $4-million annually through 2023-24 seems to signal a desire to stay put. However, he also asked to be traded last fall. Boston Hockey Now’s Joe Haggerty reports that the request has not been rescinded.
Shinzawa and Haggerty suggest DeBrusk’s performance in the upcoming playoffs could determine how things shake out. A strong effort could ensure he’s part of the Bruins roster next season.
That might not dissuade general managers who were interested in DeBrusk but unable to swing a deal with the Bruins before the deadline. If anything, it could make the winger far more enticing in this summer’s trade market.
