Photo via Sportsnet
The Boston Bruins are ten days away from the March 6 trade deadline and deciding if their current unexpected playoff run is worth adding to their roster for the last 25 games. The Bruins’ biggest needs are at right-shot defense and top-six forward. Boston seems to be comfortable with their centermen, which are hard to find. Since the departure of Brad Marchand last March, left wing is a position of need. As the Bruins navigate through potential player availability, two former players’ names have surfaced.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported recently that the Vancouver Canucks are making former Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk available and that the Bruins might be interested in a surprising reunion. The 29-year-old Edmonton native left the Bruins in July of 2024 after seven seasons with Boston, who drafted him 14th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. DeBrusk’s current contract holds a $5.5 million salary cap hit and has four years left. The forward owns a full no-movement clause, so he’d have to be willing to waive it to return to Boston, and that might be a complicated decision.
The Bruins did not re-sign DeBrusk at the end of the 2023-24 season, and some of DeBrusk’s time in Boston was tumultuous. There were reports of DeBrusk not being happy with the Bruins, particularly under former Bruins head coach and current Vegas Golden Knights boss Bruce Cassidy. Eventually, Boston decided not to commit to the left wing long-term, but maybe with two years shaved off the deal, Bruins’ General Manager Don Sweeney would consider bringing DeBrusk back.
This season, the streaky Debrusk has struggled, scoring just 13 goals and 28 points in 56 games. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward scored 138 goals for Boston and contributed 27 goals in 86 postseason games. DeBrusk is shooting a career-low 8.3 percent.
The Bruins are also rumored to be inquiring about Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato, who was drafted by Boston 56th overall in 2014. The Boston native played 46 games with Boston and tallied 11 goals until he was traded to Minnesota for Charlie Coyle in 2019. Donato had a career year last season with 31 goals for the Chicago Blackhawks, who are looking to deal the versatile forward.
Donato has three years left on his contract, which is valued at a salary cap hit of $4 million. The Bruins are in the market for top-six scoring help, and these two former Bruins could be on the radar.
Discover more from Inside The Rink
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.