A question I've been trying to grapple with in addition to whatever an extension may look like is if DeBrusk is more valuable on the trade market than he might be to the team? Is there a "sell high" potential here even after a down year?
For example, Jake DeBrusk for Noah Hanifin. I have zero idea if this would be on the table, I'm just spitballing ideas. We'd probably have to add some pieces but let's just say roster wise it's a 1 for 1 swap cause they have too many D and need forwards and we have too many forwards and need a stabilizing left side D for 2020-2021.
In the context of Krug probably being out, expansion draft looming, wing being a spot that we're pretty strong I do wonder if we can afford the risk of going into a year with a huge question mark around what the left side of our defense is. I don't know why but I assume Chara is retiring.
Bruins go into next year with:
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Ritchie-Krejci-Kase
Bjork-Coyle-___
4th
Hanifin-McAvoy
Grzelcyk-Carlo
Lauzon-Clifton
Rask
Halak
That's a pretty interesting group and I think one that Sweeney and Cassidy would be much more comfortable with going into the year than Gryz, Lauzon, Vaak? Zboril? either way...yikes.
Your expansion draft list is: Top line, Krejci, Kase, Coyle, Bjork...Hanifin, McAvoy, Carlo, Rask. Say you lose Gryz to expansion, you slide Vaak up.
When I look at the roster, I can't help but think we're going to see some movement in the offseason whenever that is. I wonder if Jake has the highest market value relative to team value.