After initially requesting a trade from the Boston Bruins, forward Jake DeBrusk has officially "turned the corner" and decided to stay with the team, general manager Don Sweeney told the media on Wednesday. Reports that DeBrusk had changed his mind about being traded first emerged on Monday, July 4.
Jake DeBrusk's agent Rick Valette spoke with Bruins GM Don Sweeney last week and informed him that DeBrusks trade request was rescinded, and that he'd be happy to remain a Bruin moving forward. DeBrusk has 2 years left at 4m, and could still be moved but unlikely at this point.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) July 4, 2022
"We're very happy that Jake has turned the corner on how he feels about the Boston Bruins and wants to be with us," Sweeney told the media ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft, via ESPN. "He had a hell of a second part of the year and deserves a lot of credit for the production that he put forth and he's looking forward to being back...I think he was just in a better place when the season ended."
Sweeney on Jake DeBrusk: "That’s accurate. He rescinded [his trade request]…we’re very happy that Jake has turned a corner in how he feels about the Boston Bruins and wants to be with us. He had a hell of a second part of the year." pic.twitter.com/rWJnawHtZD
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 6, 2022
News that DeBrusk wanted to play elsewhere emerged early in the 2021-22 NHL season, and the team actively looked at trades that would benefit everyone. Sweeney even signed DeBrusk to a two-year extension in March that would have made a trade deal easier, since the 25-year-old was set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
Meanwhile, DeBrusk remained a fixture in Boston's offense and ended the season with 42 points (25 goals, 17 assists) and a plus-6 through 77 games, including eight game-winning goals.
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