Boston Hockey Now is reporting after speaking to the media on Monday morning, that Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney has been working the phones all day in an attempt to land a first-round pick prior to tonight’s NHL Draft. And, in order to secure that pick, he’s apparently dangled forward Jake DeBrusk.
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As per a quote from the article that cites an NHL source:
“I can tell you right now that Don’s main goal heading into today and even more so today has been to get back into the first round and draft a high-end pick tonight. Remember what he did in 2015? That’s what he’d love to do tonight from the sounds of it. Lots of GM’s told me they have been in constant touch with Don.”
Sweeney has said in previous interviews that he would like to reward his scouts for all their hard work by getting back into the first round. As it stands right now, they won’t pick in the first 31 selections. And, in this year’s draft, that’s especially important for the Bruins because the 2020 NHL Entry Draft is widely considered one of the deepest and most talented in years.
“I think if the opportunity presents itself, we’re going to have to explore it,” Sweeney said. He mentioned there’d been lots of talk and with things getting down to the wire, there’s not much time left to make a move. He’s not sure if it will happen though. “It’s just expensive this time of the year.”
Who Might Be Interested?
Early speculation is that perhaps the Ottawa Senators would bite on DeBrusk sending the 28th pick overall the other way. After all, the Senators own the third and fifth overall picks. If they walked away from the first round with both of those selections and DeBrusk, they might be the clear winners of the draft on day one.
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