We are slightly greater than every week away from the NHL commerce deadline and Jake DeBrusk doesn’t have any higher concept of the place he’ll be taking part in hockey past March 8, not to mention subsequent yr.
DeBrusk, scheduled to make his first foray into unrestricted free company in the summertime, mentioned on Wednesday that there was no progress on a possible contract extension with the Bruins.
That state of affairs can change with one cellphone name, in fact, however the uncertainty absolutely doesn’t assist the annual nervous feeling he will get round this time of yr.
“Of course I (worry),” mentioned DeBrusk. “I feel like I’ve been around here long enough to know how the league works. Obviously there are different things. Guys get injured around the league and different stuff happens that’s out of our control. It’ll be interesting to see which teams are aggressive and which teams aren’t. But of course, you always have that in the back of your mind. Obviously two years ago it was a little more intense on that side of things. But I think ever since I’ve been here, I’ve been worried.”
Two seasons in the past was when DeBrusk had an energetic commerce request on the deadline. The B’s, in fact, didn’t commerce him. Instead, they gave him a two-year extension. It seemed like a sensible transfer on the time. After the B’s fired coach Bruce Cassidy, with whom the wing butted heads, DeBrusk rescinded the commerce request and went on to have an excellent season in 2022-23, equaling a career-high with 27 objectives and posting a private finest 50 factors regardless of lacking a month with a damaged leg.
But 2023-24 has been a wierd and little doubt irritating season for DeBrusk, and one which absolutely hasn’t helped the Bruins and his camp discover widespread floor on a worth for him. He’s discovered easy methods to use velocity and attain to turn into a vastly improved defensive participant and he does issues that assist his staff win no a number of nights. But the scoring has not been there. With 22 video games left within the common season He’s received simply 13 objectives and 27 factors.
What the B’s do with him by this time subsequent Friday is anybody’s guess. With first place general nonetheless inside their attain, it’s onerous to see the B’s buying and selling him for future issues alone. They’re already in want of one other high six ahead and eliminating one they’ve doesn’t assist. Perhaps they might transfer him and his $4 million wage for a excessive draft after which flip that to fill a necessity, whether or not it’s for a ahead or a defenseman.
Or the B’s might merely let it play out and see if his efficiency down the stretch and the playoffs can deliver the 2 sides collectively on a deal. But the nearer they get to July 1 the higher the chance he walks and the B’s get nothing in return.
For now, DeBrusk can solely wait it out.
“Usually when there are trades around the league it kind of stirs up talks between the guys but it’s been a pretty busy schedule, to be honest, with these time changes,” mentioned DeBrusk. “It’s in the back of everyone’s mind obviously because nobody’s really safe. It’s one of those times where it’s always intense and stressful and as a fan it’s exciting – and stressful as well. It’s just how it goes. I’ve been through some pretty interesting ones to be honest.”
Captain Brad Marchand mentioned it’s a worrisome time of yr.
“I think everybody gets nervous at trade deadline, except maybe (Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak),” mentioned Marchand with a smile. “But I think the biggest thing is when you start worrying about things that are out of your control. You never really know how things are going to play out. The biggest thing is trying to focus on being here and trying to enjoy every day. The biggest thing is trying not to get caught up in it. We have enough to worry about outside of that. The more you let your mind wander, the tougher you make it on yourself. It’s about trying to stay within the game, within the room and not worrying about too much outside attention and media attention. It does get tough because there’s a lot of chatter about it, but you just have to try to (avoid it.)”….
An enormous focus in Wednesday’s conferences and apply needed to do with how they method third intervals once they have a lead. They’ve seemed tentative to start out the thirds and misplaced leads – and in the end video games – in Vancouver and Seattle.
“It’s really what we discussed today as a group,” mentioned coach Jim Montgomery. “When you look at the overall league, it’s seems to be happening everywhere, but we concern ourselves with us and how we’re playing. When we look at these last two games, it’s why in the second game? Vancouver had a real good push. We don’t feel Seattle had so much of a push. It was more of our lack of poise with the puck and game management that allowed them to get the opportunities to get back in the game.”…
Speaking of the commerce deadline, Montgomery, whose staff has gained only one sport in regulation within the month of February, was requested if he felt his staff was in want of the shot within the arm {that a} transaction might present.
“I could use a shot in the arm,” mentioned Montgomery with amusing. “You know what? There are so many swings during the year, and we’ve seen that this year. And I think all these swings are going to help us. Because you’ve got to overcome a lot more this year than we’ve had to in the pat. That’s a good thing in the long run. Everyone wants to peak at the right time. And peaking right now isn’t the right time.”…
Hampus Lindhom, who has been termed week-to-week with a decrease physique harm, skated with assistant coach John McLean earlier than apply however Montgomery mentioned he’s simply starting his street again and gained’t be obtainable for Thursday’s sport towards Cassidy’s Vegas Golden Knights, who’re banged up however managed to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-2, on Tuesday.
Jack Eichel (knee) is on the journey and skated within the staff’s elective apply however Cassidy doesn’t count on him to play on Thursday, although he’s getting nearer.
Source: www.bostonherald.com