It didn’t take long for teams to start calling the Boston Bruins when it was learned that he was interested in being traded and had requested the organization try and move him. Per reports, as many as 12 teams have already touched base with Boston about the winger’s availability and there are some interesting teams in that mix.
Related: Jake DeBrusk Has Requested Trade from the Boston Bruins
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that multiple teams have called about DeBrusk — as many as 12 teams, maybe more — but the Bruins are not keen on making a deal until both Brad Marchand returns from his three-game suspension and the Bruins’ AHL affiliate in Providence deals with a massive COVID issue. From there, the Bruins will try to facilitate a move, but the asking price will be high when you factor in the number of teams calling.
Dreger believes the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Arizona Coyotes, and St. Louis Blues are in the group of 12 teams that have asked. He was unable to name others. That said, NBC Sports Boston’s Nick Goss believes the Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, and Ottawa Senators are also in the mix.
Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy cited a source saying the Seattle Kraken were interested and also mentioned the Carolina Hurricanes. Nick Kypreos confirmed the Hurricanes are kicking tires on this trade as well.
Not every team will have the assets and salary cap space to make the move, but some will easily have room. Among them, Arizona, Seattle and Ottawa should have no issues if the plan is not to send salary back to the Bruins. They also have the picks and prospects that might entice Boston.
DeBrusk earns $4.85 million and is in the second season of a two-year deal which carries a $3.675 million cap hit. He’ll be due a $4.41 million qualifying offer to retain his RFA rights (and risk arbitration). That means the team trading for him is prepared to make a sizeable investment in his future. If he doesn’t produce immediately or in the future, this has the potential to look like a bad deal for whoever acquires him.
DeBrusk Tells Bruins This Is Important
There are reports that DeBrusk approached the team and apologized while telling them how he loved them. He did add this wasn’t anything personal and just something he had to do for his career. Taylor Hall talked about DeBrusk talking with the team and said this wasn’t a distraction and that they’re kind of glad it’s out there so everyone can just play the game as best they know how.
Next: Auston Matthews Raises Big Sum for Men’s Health
