Boston Bruins forward Jake Debrusk still wants to be traded either before the NHL’s 3 p.m. ET deadline Monday or this offseason — and he’s hoping a deal that he just signed helps moves things along.
Boston announced that they agreed to a two-year extension with the 25-year-old left-winger, which carries an annual cap hit of $4 million.
Debrusk has reportedly wanted out of Boston since last summer, though his trade request went public in November. It took him nearly three months to address the situation with the media where he didn’t divulge much — though he remained professional and continued contributing to the team.
For more NHL news like this Jake Debrusk article, visit TailgateSports.com
“To be honest, I had a meeting with the guys when it first kind of hit or first got out there and I told them I wouldn’t be a distraction, so I respectfully plead the fifth on all of those,” DeBrusk said in February. “I just want to talk about the game and stuff. Obviously, I haven’t talked to you guys in a while. It’s a fair question, but I won’t be answering that.”
In 57 games with the Bruins this season, DeBrusk has 15 goals and 11 assists for a team that is holding onto the last wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. It’s been a solid bounceback campaign after his production sagged heavily over the last two years, which prompted Boston to move him down the lineup. The move has prompted plenty of speculation that this was the reason why Debrusk wanted out of town.
The hope is that by adding more term to Debrusk’s contract, potential trade suitors will find the forward more desirable on the market and be willing to give up more to meet Boston’s higher asking price.
