This kid is so streaky. Problem is that the Bruins are forcing him on Krejci. The best place for him is with Coyle. It makes him work and skate harder which gets him in the game faster. He floats to much with Krejci, always waiting for a pass. He’s not a sniper that can wait for a pass always. When they “demoted” him to Coyles line during the year, he was playing great hockey. If they plan on changing his role, then they have to pay accordingly. What is his type of player though? Depends on what line they stick him with.
He’s 23. No, I wouldn’t pay him $4.5M at this point, but they’d be foolish to trade him. He hasn’t been the same since the Kadri hit and I think he’ll get back to where he was or even better.
I doubt they will either, and for 3 reasons:
1.) It would create a 2nd hole on the 2nd line, when that line has already had 1 hole on it for the last 3 years. Unless you’re getting a Forward back, if you trade DeBrusk you might as well trade Krejci as there’d be no point in keeping him if he has no one to play with.
2.) I doubt any team will give us an upgrade at Forward for him, given his streaky play and contract demands.
3.) Sweeney will have NOTHING left from that abomination of a 2015 1st round. Although DeBrusk should never have been picked where he was, he is at least fairly productive, albeit streaky. By trading him, Sweeney and Neely will essentially be admitting that they were complete and utter morons that night on the draft floor.
I think we've seen enough from this kid...I'd be up for a swap. Not that it's a knock on him - it's not. He's a fine 2nd line winger production wise. But he's just so unreliable...either a going concern or a complete no-show. Overall he's just not a "pro" in the sense you never know what you're gonna get, and it's been that way since he started. I've got limited use for those types. If you aren't gonna score, do something to help, and he doesn't.
DeBrusk is a decent player who can fill a middle 6 spot and get you 20-30 goals per season with the right linemates. He's nothing special, but you need guys like that on your roster (Reilly Smith anyone??) and I'd keep him around as long as the money was right.
As for trade value, MAYBE you can get a low first rounder for him at best. The Kasperi Kapanen trade is probably a good comp on that as far as trade value goes.
If anything, we should be looking to ADD players like DeBrusk to build scoring depth. Not looking to get rid of them.
Played his best game of the bubble tonight.
Looking at literally every RFA extension Sweeney has signed, I think Jake gets locked up on a good deal. I want him here. This team lacks toughness and scoring, why on earth would you trade a guy that brings both?
They were talking LouiDebrusk brings toughness?
I'm going to have to disagree.
DeBrusk/Coyle/Studs could work as a 3rd line.In an ideal world, DeBrusk would be a 3rd line LW for us. I like him but he's way too streaky.
Looking at literally every RFA extension Sweeney has signed, I think Jake gets locked up on a good deal. I want him here. This team lacks toughness and scoring, why on earth would you trade a guy that brings both?
Looking at literally every RFA extension Sweeney has signed, I think Jake gets locked up on a good deal. I want him here. This team lacks toughness and scoring, why on earth would you trade a guy that brings both?
Perfect 3rd line winger