Jake DeBrusk’s agent provides update on client ahead of trade deadline
A boost in production and a successful-to-date move to Boston’s top line has not swayed Jake DeBrusk into wanting to stay with the Bruins, according to the latest update from DeBrusk’s camp.
“After speaking with DeBrusk’s agent, Rick Valette, there has not been a change of heart,” Pierre LeBrun said on the latest edition of TSN’s Insider Trading segment Tuesday night. “This means the trade demand is still in place for DeBrusk, to hopefully, in his case, get a trade out of Boston by the March 21 trade deadline.”
To date, the Bruins haven’t received a trade offer that they consider to be a worthwhile move or equal value for DeBrusk. They’ve also made it clear that they won’t sell him for pennies on the dollar. That value has likely only gone up in the eyes of the Bruins, especially as DeBrusk has surged to the tune of seven goals and nine points over his last six games.
Now, a lack of early-season production and general hot-and-cold play isn’t the only reason why teams haven’t been lining up outside the Garden to make their pitches for DeBrusk, as DeBrusk’s status as a pending restricted free agent potentially due some big money has given some teams some pause.
But, according to LeBrun, the Bruins have given DeBrusk’s camp the permission to potentially bypass that qualifying offer dilemma with a potential extension.
“The other thing Valette talked about is that he has informed teams, by the way he has permission to talk directly to other teams, that they’re willing to work on an extension to help facilitate a deal,” LeBrun noted. “A lot of teams are concerned about the $4.4 million qualifying offer to retain his rights this summer, maybe [if there’s] an extension at a cheaper price everyone will go home happy. Bottom line is if he keeps scoring and playing a bigger role, it might help the Bruins and general manager Don Sweeney get better offers than they’ve had to date.”
The Bruins and DeBrusk’s camp have less than three weeks to figure it all out if DeBrusk is going to finish the 2021-22 year in another sweater.
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The Jake DeBrusk situation remains an interesting one for Bruins
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: Brendan Lemieux #48 of the Los Angeles Kings and Trent Frederic #11 of the Boston Bruins fight in the first period at Crypto.com Arena on February 28, 2022 in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Trent Frederic renews rivalry with Brendan Lemieux
Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk will tell you straight-up that nobody likes Brendan Lemieux.
“You can ask any one of his teammates, nobody ever wants to play with him,” Tkachuk said of Lemieux after the ex-Ranger allegedly bit him in a fight between the two earlier this season. “This guy is a bad guy and a bad teammate, he focuses on himself all the time. The guy’s just a joke. He shouldn’t be in the league. This guy’s gutless. No other team wants him. “He’s going to keep begging to be in the NHL, but no other team wants him. He’s an absolute joke. I can’t even wrap my head around it. People don’t even do this. He’s just a bad guy.”
(The ‘people don’t even do this’ line will always get me.)
Frederic, not bitten but a childhood friend of the Tkachuk brothers, probably has similar feelings on Lemieux. He’s made it known in some not-so-subtle ways, from accidentally forgetting Lemieux’s name to admitting that he was jealous that Nick Ritchie got to fight him. Frederic even said he wanted another shot at Lemieux after the two had a run-in in New York last season, but Lemieux was traded to Los Angeles before Frederic got that opportunity.
That was until Monday night in LA, and No. 11 made sure he got his rematch with Lemieux.
No one likes him, I know, but it’d be nice to see Lemieux back in the East for the purpose of violence.
Feb 28, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Erik Haula (56) celebrates with center Charlie Coyle (13) goal scored against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Crypto.com Arena. (Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports)
A milestone goal across the board for the Bruins
Weird little milestone combo in this game: When a falling Erik Haula extended the B’s lead to six with a third-period power-play goal, the Finnish center netted career goal No. 100. But the goal also came with assists from Charlie Coyle and Craig Smith, and with each player picking up the 200th assist of their respective careers on the helper.
SAW THE PUCK IN THREE PIECES.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: Jake DeBrusk #74 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his third goal for a hat trick against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Crypto.com Arena on February 28, 2022. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Bruins love LA (they love it!)
With Monday’s victory, the Bruins pushed their victorious run in Los Angeles to four straight road wins over the Kings dating back to 4-1 win in Feb. 2017. It’s now tied for the longest road streak over the Kings in franchise history, matching a four-game winning streak that ran from March 1971 through March 1972. The Bruins are few years away from matching their longest road unbeaten streak against the Kings, however, as the Bruins went unbeaten in LA in six games from January 1969 through October 1970, with four wins and two ties over that span.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
