Jake DeBrusk leaving at the March transfer deadline? It seemed like a done deal. He told himself about the transfer through his agent. Coach Bruce Cassidy promoted the energetic Canadian to the elite line alongside Brad Machand with Patrice Bergeron to show off interest. He flashed with a premiership hat-trick. General manager Don Sweeney, in turn, wanted to facilitate the trade by signing him to a cheap two-year deal. But DeBrusk didn’t leave after all. And he’s not even going anywhere.
What changed that DeBrusk suddenly wants to stay?
The answer is offered. Sweeney, much to everyone’s surprise, fired Cassidy. Although the results were behind “Butch” and the elimination in seven games against the Hurricanes from Carolina was by no means a hockey disgrace, the strict coach packed up.
“Our front office needed to start listening to a new voice. Cassidy’s style was producing results, but it was taking its toll on the players,” Sweeney explained of his much-discussed move.
It seemed like a lame excuse, and some felt that Sweeney was merely distracting from the threat of Boston’s pitching staff crumbling under his hands. But then the good news started to come.
The best GM of the NHL for the 2018/2019 season received the trust of the management, expressed in a four-year contract. Bergeron, a key center, extremely valid on both ends of the rink, and an ideal mentor in one person, decided to stay and extend his career at least one year.
And then DeBrusk’s agent, Rick Valette, chimed in: Jake wants to continue in Boston! Now just sign David Pastrnak and Sweeney will go from the man in the sack to the clear winner of the awkward and confusing situation regarding Cassidy’s end.
It’s no secret that DeBrusk was upset with the tough coach last fall. That’s when he made him a healthy substitute. And there were many signs that their relationship was not ideal. Now the Edmonton native will have a chance to show what he can do under a different command.
In the next two seasons, he will cut four million dollars from the salary cap, and if he follows up on a successful second half of the regular season (he managed 25 points in the last 32 games), the Bears can congratulate themselves.
DeBrusk showed everyone what he can do on the ice after being reassigned to the first line. Thanks to the mix of speed, emphasis and trickery, he can be very effective between the defenders. The problem until then was the unevenness of his performances, which, of course, was probably due to disputes with Cassidy and frustration.
Will he find common ground with Jim Montgomery, the new coach of the traditional club? That’s the key question.
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