It goes without saying that Jake DeBrusk, a forward for the Boston Bruins, had a disappointing season just a year after recording his highest offensive point total.
In only 64 games last season, DeBrusk scored 27 goals and achieved his greatest goals-per-game total in a season. It was also his first time ever to reach 50 points in his career.
But in 66 games this season, DeBrusk has only managed 16 goals and 34 points, and it appears that he has been more affected than anyone by Patrice Bergeron’s retirement.
Due to his contract ending and the decline in output, many speculated that DeBrusk might be traded to a new team before the Trade Deadline. In the end, the Bruins decided to hold onto DeBrusk so he could continue playing for one of the top teams in the NHL—a club that sits only one point behind the leaders in the league standings—and challenge the team that selected him for a Stanely Cup.
Naturally, this relieved DeBrusk, who has come to cherish his time in Boston.
It’s usually a significant one, in my opinion. Based on specific circumstances and one’s level of Twitter usage, it’s a relief for everyone in the room,” DeBrusk stated on Monday after the Trade Deadline. “I remain here. There is undoubtedly a feeling of relief. It’s not known until 4:30 or 4 p.m. Still, I’m glad to be here. I’m simply eager to get started on this playoff push and other things.
Although DeBrusk has never been a reliable player, he played a more steady game last season with Bergeron in the middle of the field. Without someone as dependable as DeBrusk beside him, it’s not shocking at all to watch his play suffer, but it’s still in particular during a contract year. As a point of comparison, in 12 games in February, DeBrusk would manage just one goal and two points. DeBrusk has scored three goals and seven points in seven games since the beginning of March, including the game-winning overtime goal against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday in a rivalry game.
Teams would always rather see a player struggle in the first half of the season than the second half, especially if those struggles continue come playoff time. The hope is that DeBrusk has turned a page on the season and will remain locked in this postseason.
It’s hard to find a perfect player in the NHL. It’s even harder to find a player who consistently produces offensively regardless of the circumstances around them. Still, DeBrusk’s point fall-off was never due to a lack of effort and his presence in the locker room has been a benefit, rather than a hindrance. At 27 years old and in his seventh season with the team, DeBrusk has become a leader on the Bruins, and his attitude has never wavered regardless of the on-ice results.
No stranger to criticism, DeBrusk has been a positive figure to players around him who may not be familiar with the same type of critique.
On the ice, the way DeBrusk has played as of late, he’s shown exactly why the team is better with him than without him. Homegrown talent who are known commodities and can score upwards of 25 goals don’t come around every day and DeBrusk has shown that he’s capable of reaching that mark, having done so on three separate occasions. Deciding his future on one down season would be short-sighted, though it must be considered in any and all contract negotiations; still, there will be interest around the league for a player of DeBrusk’s caliber and the Bruins must operate with that in mind.
The upside DeBrusk offers is greater than the negatives some like to attribute to him and though his long-term future with the Bruins may be up in the air, he remains committed to making the team better. DeBrusk has made it clear that he wants to remain in Boston for the long haul and it would be surprising to see general manager Don Sweeney have a different opinion. The specifics of contract details can always get in the way, despite mutual interest, but as it stands, both sides should have similar intentions of getting a deal done.
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