A Suspension, A Trade Request And A Head Coach In COVID Protocol... It's Been An Eventful 24 Hours For The Bruins
The hits keep on coming for the Boston Bruins. Minutes after news broke about Brad Marchand's three game suspension, it was reported and made public that forward Jake DeBrusk has requested a trade out of Boston. This morning, Head Coach Bruce Cassidy was put in the COVID 19 Protocol, will not coach tonight, but has mild symptoms. A quiet 24 hours indeed...
I blogged about Marchand's suspension last night, and both Bergeron and GM Don Sweeney disagreed with the three games. Doesn't sound like there will be an appeal.
Brad Marchand on the suspension:
On what he said to Artemi Panarin:
Jake DeBrusk requests trade:
Sounds like the ending of Jake DeBrusk's tenure as a Boston Bruin is coming sooner rather than later. More predictable than shocking, although after a strong preseason I thought maaaybe we could see the return of 2018-2019 Jake DeBrusk, after a long overdue conversation between DeBrusk and Cassidy earlier this summer (the two did not talk after the season), I thought this season could've been that fresh start. DeBrusk posted just 5G, 9A for 14 points in 41 regular season games last year. He was however outspoken about how difficult it was for him to play amidst COVID restrictions.
Last night it was reported DeBrusk's agent confirmed that he asked the Bruins for a trade this past weekend. The point of no return is here, and it's up to Don Sweeney to try and facilitate a trade with a player whose value is pretty low. Doesn't help the Bruins that every team in the league knows of DeBrusk's unhappiness in Boston either. With just one goal in his last 13 games, DeBrusk was a healthy scratch for Sunday's game vs. Vancouver (along with Erik Haula) as the consistency issues have started to spill over from last season.
We know the talent is there, but a change of scenery sounds like the best for all parties. I believe a package of DeBrusk ++ for a top 4 D, or scoring forward would be in the Bruins' best interest. Tomas Hertl is the dream. Not going to get much for a 1 for 1 swap. DeBrusk is in the last year of a two year deal with a cap hit of $3.675 million.
All the best to JD. Just hope the B's get the best return they can for him.
Joe Sacco will take over duties tonight with Bruce Cassidy in COVID Protocol:
Tuukka Rask getting closer to a return:
Tuukka Rask skated with the Bruins prior to practice for the second straight day. Don Sweeney says they are not talking contract yet, but I imagine they'll be getting something done in the next few weeks. Should be interesting to see what they do (re: making the cap space work) and how they'll use him.
Shout out to Ty Anderson for all the quotes. B's host the Red Wings tonight in their first game without Brad Marchand, and Jake DeBrusk will be in the lineup (Bruins cannot recall anyone from Providence because they are shut down, big COVID outbreak). We'll likely see a Hall - Bergeron - Pastrnak top line tonight. Buckle up.
It's still a great night to win a hockey game.