Could Jake DeBrusk Benefit From a Trade?

Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk has been on the hot seat for a while now and it’s finally boiled down to a healthy scratch in Tuesday’s matchup against the New York Islanders.

During the 2017-18 campaign (DeBrusk’s rookie season) the Edmonton native tallied 43 points in 70 games. He followed it up by avoiding a sophomore slump with 42 points in 68 games including 27 goals. While many hoped it was a sign of things to come, the 24-year-old has been underwhelming since. 

This season DeBrusk has just 5 points in 17 games. Some circumstances to consider are an injury the winger suffered in January as well as the brief absence of David Krejci, his usual center, due to an injury of his own. Limited time on the power play is also hampering DeBrusk’s production.

However, as Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy stated in a press conference, “We’re not getting the effort required.”

While Cassidy is known for giving struggling players healthy scratches - Anders Bjork and David Backes certainly come to mind - DeBrusk seems to be on his last leg with the club. This, coupled with Boston’s surplus of on-the-cusp forwards jockeying for playing time, seems to add up to the following: Jake DeBrusk’s days in Boston are numbered.

This isn’t to say DeBrusk is a bad player. He is a proven 20-goal scorer when he’s on his game, and can play a vital role on the power play. The winger has simply been streaky throughout his young NHL career and perhaps a change of scenery could be beneficial. We’ve seen this in the past with players like Tyler Seguin and Blake Wheeler. While I don’t expect DeBrusk to turn into that level of a star-caliber player, I don’t believe Seguin or Wheeler would have reached their true all-star status in Boston. Whether it was the simple change of location or playing in a different hockey system, being traded to other clubs boded well for both players. DeBrusk could very well flourish with another organization.

Potential for a trade

While DeBrusk hasn’t been tied to any trade rumors specifically, the Bruins have been. With the team’s dwindling depth at the blue line as defensemen suffer injuries seemingly every game, the B’s must be looking to bring in more reinforcements. It would make sense that Boston would be willing to use DeBrusk as a trade chip.

Another thing to consider, however, is DeBrusk’s value on the market. Take a look at his recent play and it’s easy to see that it isn’t likely Boston would receive much in return. His trade value was at its peak in his first two seasons. Since then, he has only trended downward. 

Does the healthy scratch indicate that the Bruins are completely done with him? No. I believe DeBrusk will be given another chance - maybe even later this week. When Cassidy gives a player the healthy scratch it’s often to simply send a message and, perhaps, give that player a spark. 

But how many of those messages will the team be willing to send before they see it fit to move in a different direction?