Boston Bruins Star Player May Be On The Way Out
Spotting frustration in a player's performance isn't always straightforward. The subtle signs, such as banging a stick or visibly expressing disappointment, might be absent. Jake DeBrusk's Tuesday night play against the Wild didn't showcase these typical frustrations, but the shot preceding Minnesota's winning goal in overtime hinted at an underlying frustration.
Positioned outside a high-danger scoring area, DeBrusk's missed shot proved costly in the 3-on-3 situation. The Wild capitalized on the loose puck, leading to a 3-on-1 break, and the Bruins paid the price. DeBrusk's goal drought extended to eight games, with only one assist in the last seven and zero points in the last four, marking one of his worst scoring paces in his seven-year career.
Despite earlier missed opportunities, Coach Jim Montgomery acknowledged DeBrusk's efforts to make things happen but noted a lapse in decision-making. Montgomery emphasized DeBrusk's speed and ability to create opportunities but highlighted the need for better game management in crucial moments.
As the scoring struggles persist and frustration mounts, the question arises: What should the Bruins do about DeBrusk? Options include a healthy scratch as a wake-up call, exploring a trade, or persisting with him in the hope that goals will eventually come. While the first two options seem drastic, the third, though less glamorous, appears the most likely and reasonable choice.
A healthy scratch appears unlikely, given Montgomery's positive assessment of DeBrusk's overall performance. The coach has maintained DeBrusk's ice time, reflecting a belief in the positive impact he brings to the team. Despite the scoring slump, DeBrusk maintains a solid plus-9 at 5-on-5, highlighting his defensive contributions and overall positive impact.
Considering a trade also seems impractical in the short term due to DeBrusk's low current value and pending free-agent status. Trading him might necessitate acquiring another middle-six winger, potentially costing the Bruins more assets than they'd gain for DeBrusk.
While the lack of goals is concerning, the Bruins may need to exercise patience. DeBrusk's shooting percentage is below his career average, and he needs to be more aggressive in generating opportunities. Selling low isn't ideal, and General Manager Don Sweeney may prefer to wait, hoping DeBrusk's performance improves, thereby increasing his trade value.
Ultimately, whether the goal is to keep DeBrusk on the team or secure a trade, allowing him to play through the scoring slump seems the most viable option for the Bruins.
As seen on audacy
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Bruins should trade DeBrusk or keep him? | ||
| Trade him | 638 | 54.3 % |
| Keep him | 537 | 45.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
