Player Discussion Jake DeBrusk VII

[TheReal13Linseman]

We all know what’s gonna happen here. We’re gonna trade him and he’s gonna go all Blake Wheeler on us. I can just feel it.

Yet, I’m in favor of trading him.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

For a team like the Bruins who are basically expected to make playoffs year in year out, as has mostly been the case for quite some time now, the first question I always ask about any player is, "is he a guy I want on my team, in my corner, when the real hockey begins and there's proper silverware on the line?" Regular season numbers and performance have their value, but I'm far more interested in what a player is going to deliver in the postseason.

And the answer to that question with DeBrusk is "sort of". I believe the record will show that he's been a decent playoff producer. He competes, points have been ok, he generally doesn't do anything stupid, occasionally has scored or set up some nice goals. On the flipside he's very rarely really stood out, had MVP nights or been part of any really significant game or even series-defining plays. His -11 in context isn't terrible, but it's not great either. For a top 6 forward who's now 27, that's a middling record relative to what might reasonably be expected of him.

Bottom line is I'm pretty ambivalent on Jake. Given his current contract and role in the team, he's been fine, although of course his recent record hasn't been good enough. But at the same time, if he were traded, or if he wants a substantial raise on his next deal and is let go as a result, I'd miss the person but not the player. He's not instantly replaceable, in the sense that the Bruins are light on top 6 talent and have a pretty weak prospect pool for obvious reasons, but there are a good number of other guys out there in the league who could do a similar or better job for the type of money DeBrusk's likely going to be seeking next year. Sweeney would just need to find one, perhaps easier said than done but still, there it is.

For now, I hope Jake can turn things around and get his season going. The team could certainly use some extra offense and at the end of the day that's what he's paid for.

 

[NeelyDan]

During the rona year, Jake was the ultimate whipping boy. But it went far beyond that. It was disgusting the things that were said on here about him.

I will say, some of posters did end up aplogzing for things they said. But dome didn't. It went beyond hockey.

We all say #BellLetsTalk unless it's Jake DeBrusk. Then it doesn't matter. Luckily we are far removed from that era. But even online the vitriol Jake  still gets is insane. You'd think he ran over somebody.

I’m not sure if you’re implying a lack of empathy for mental health issues connected to expectations of a pro athlete but that’s pretty grossly far from the truth in what I imagine/hope for the vast majority of posters

 

[bearcountry17]

Trading DeBrusk right now would be incredibly short sighted. He's not going to shoot at 6% all year and this team can't afford to lose his speed or goalscoring in the POs.

 

[Mione134]

I’m not sure if you’re implying a lack of empathy for mental health issues connected to expectations of a pro athlete but that’s pretty grossly far from the truth in what I imagine/hope for the vast majority of posters

Oh Dan, I wish I was kidding. It happened. It was gross. A dark time on the board. I'd say go look for those threads but I highly advise it. It wasn't pretty

 

[UncleRico]

Trading DeBrusk right now would be incredibly short sighted. He's not going to shoot at 6% all year and this team can't afford to lose his speed or goalscoring in the POs.

Sweeney’s never traded a player in season from the top 6. I doubt he’s going to start with one of the rare good forwards he’s drafted. I don’t think he’s going to start here.

I’m more worried about Sweeney being attached to one of his best draft picks and overpaying him because he doesn’t want to let him go.

 

[Ladyfan]

The guy ain’t producing and when you’re not producing you’re gonna attract the wrong kind of attention. Nobody wants the kid to fail. I’ve never understood “whipping boy” unless there’s unjustified criticism and there just isn’t, he’s paid to produce, his defensive attention to detail or pk ability is peripheral not primary.

I agree. No one I know hates Jake. The fact is everyone hopes he gets it going.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

For a team like the Bruins who are basically expected to make playoffs year in year out, as has mostly been the case for quite some time now, the first question I always ask about any player is, "is he a guy I want on my team, in my corner, when the real hockey begins and there's proper silverware on the line?" Regular season numbers and performance have their value, but I'm far more interested in what a player is going to deliver in the postseason.

And the answer to that question with DeBrusk is "sort of". I believe the record will show that he's been a decent playoff producer. He competes, points have been ok, he generally doesn't do anything stupid, occasionally has scored or set up some nice goals. On the flipside he's very rarely really stood out, had MVP nights or been part of any really significant game or even series-defining plays. His -11 in context isn't terrible, but it's not great either. For a top 6 forward who's now 27, that's a middling record relative to what might reasonably be expected of him.

Bottom line is I'm pretty ambivalent on Jake. Given his current contract and role in the team, he's been fine, although of course his recent record hasn't been good enough. But at the same time, if he were traded, or if he wants a substantial raise on his next deal and is let go as a result, I'd miss the person but not the player. He's not instantly replaceable, in the sense that the Bruins are light on top 6 talent and have a pretty weak prospect pool for obvious reasons, but there are a good number of other guys out there in the league who could do a similar or better job for the type of money DeBrusk's likely going to be seeking next year. Sweeney would just need to find one, perhaps easier said than done but still, there it is.

For now, I hope Jake can turn things around and get his season going. The team could certainly use some extra offense and at the end of the day that's what he's paid for.

I agree with the gist of your post but I do have to say, regarding the bolded, that his goal down the wing against Toronto game 7 in 2018 lives in my head rent free.

 

[Therick67]

Trading DeBrusk right now would be incredibly short sighted. He's not going to shoot at 6% all year and this team can't afford to lose his speed or goalscoring in the POs.

I guess that depends on what the return is?

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Oh Dan, I wish I was kidding. It happened. It was gross. A dark time on the board. I'd say go look for those threads but I highly advise it. It wasn't pretty

Aren’t you being a little bit melodramatic?

It’s too bad that people would express true hate but the vast majority of posts on Jake (both in support and critiques) seem reasonable enough to me.

Feels like you’re blurring the line between human cruelty and people being genuinely exasperated with his play and his seeming lack of commitment. I’m not sure what you’re looking to accomplishing by bringing back up these posts you thought went too far. People type stupid things and aren’t always empathetic. I don’t think anyone here would argue that. But there’s a lot to critique with Jake that has nothing to do with that and that’s what I see being discussed here.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Always been streaky, I’d be worried if he was floating out there but I’m not seeing a lack of effort. I’m sure it will come eventually.

Man, amazing how two fans can see such different things. I see so much lack of effort. Maybe I’m just confirming my own bias. But he doesn’t look at all hungry for the puck to me the majority of his time on the ice.

Regardless, he can pick it up and I hope he does.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Man, amazing how two fans can see such different things. I see so much lack of effort. Maybe I’m just confirming my own bias. But he doesn’t look at all hungry for the puck to me the majority of his time on the ice.

Regardless, he can pick it up and I hope he does.

Yup. He's playing like 2021 Debrusk right now. Floating, not battling, just out for a skate and waiting for the puck to find him

 

[CDJ]

Man, amazing how two fans can see such different things. I see so much lack of effort. Maybe I’m just confirming my own bias. But he doesn’t look at all hungry for the puck to me the majority of his time on the ice.

Regardless, he can pick it up and I hope he does.

To me he’s skating hard and playing responsible hockey, he just isn’t being all that effective out there offensively. Obviously that’s what he’s paid to do so his production is disappointing, but he’s always been streaky so I imagine he has a hot streak in him at some point this season

 

[Alicat]

Aren’t you being a little bit melodramatic?

It’s too bad that people would express true hate but the vast majority of posts on Jake (both in support and critiques) seem reasonable enough to me.

Feels like you’re blurring the line between human cruelty and people being genuinely exasperated with his play and his seeming lack of commitment. I’m not sure what you’re looking to accomplishing by bringing back up these posts you thought went too far. People type stupid things and aren’t always empathetic. I don’t think anyone here would argue that. But there’s a lot to critique with Jake that has nothing to do with that and that’s what I see being discussed here.

You're being far too kind here.

We all know who the poster is talking about and it is so off base it isn't even funny.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

For a team like the Bruins who are basically expected to make playoffs year in year out, as has mostly been the case for quite some time now, the first question I always ask about any player is, "is he a guy I want on my team, in my corner, when the real hockey begins and there's proper silverware on the line?" Regular season numbers and performance have their value, but I'm far more interested in what a player is going to deliver in the postseason.

And the answer to that question with DeBrusk is "sort of". I believe the record will show that he's been a decent playoff producer. He competes, points have been ok, he generally doesn't do anything stupid, occasionally has scored or set up some nice goals. On the flipside he's very rarely really stood out, had MVP nights or been part of any really significant game or even series-defining plays. His -11 in context isn't terrible, but it's not great either. For a top 6 forward who's now 27, that's a middling record relative to what might reasonably be expected of him.

Bottom line is I'm pretty ambivalent on Jake. Given his current contract and role in the team, he's been fine, although of course his recent record hasn't been good enough. But at the same time, if he were traded, or if he wants a substantial raise on his next deal and is let go as a result, I'd miss the person but not the player. He's not instantly replaceable, in the sense that the Bruins are light on top 6 talent and have a pretty weak prospect pool for obvious reasons, but there are a good number of other guys out there in the league who could do a similar or better job for the type of money DeBrusk's likely going to be seeking next year. Sweeney would just need to find one, perhaps easier said than done but still, there it is.

For now, I hope Jake can turn things around and get his season going. The team could certainly use some extra offense and at the end of the day that's what he's paid for.

In terms of playoff performances, should be noted that Jake's first two seasons were his best. Hence, his last 4 playoffs have been clearly subpar.

 

[goldnblack]

excluding the covid no fans F’d up schedule the other 4 years DeBrusk has performed

Those 4 years where it was full schedule fans DeBrusk played 274 gsmes and scored 98 goals

That’s 29 + per 82 games

It’s like science - it’s real

People live in fantasy world where fact is now fiction

DeBrusk off to slow start scoring he’s got time to get hot

4 years and 274 games kind of a big sample size

Apologies for making so much sense again

How many goals do you give Heinen on a line with Bergeron and Marchand?

The answer to that is how much you should or shouldn't like Debrusk, imho.

 

[Number8]

Chicks dig goal scorers and 3 of last 4 he’s scored 25 or more goals

My daughter was correct when she told me the gals like Jake - he was in high demand last Monday night team event no disrespect to Geekie & Heinen

DeBrusk owns space in a lot of people’s heads here

It’s like Carlo hate

It’s like easily identifying who’s angry and doesn’t know hockey

I'd be interested in what you think would be a fair (to JDB) and smart (for Bruins) offer for Jake.

Like it or not, decision is going to have to be made soon -- regardless of whether he heats up or not.

What say you?

 

[UncleRico]

How many goals do you give Heinen on a line with Bergeron and Marchand?

The answer to that is how much you should or shouldn't like Debrusk, imho.

Heinen had a career high 47 points with Marchand and bergys a while back. Debrusk had a career high of 50.

 

[goldnblack]

Heinen had a career high 47 points with Marchand and bergys a while back. Debrusk had a career high of 50.

think we probably want ppg, but yeah this is getting warmer

 

[Yeti34]

if we can get Debrusk for under 5 or around that for a statistically bad year I’d do that.

 

[NeelyDan]

My approach if I were GM would be to pay him at a salary commensurate with what he is, versus what he could or we wish him to be.

 

[Dr Hook]

think we probably want ppg, but yeah this is getting warmer

Better yet would PP/60 since Jake has pretty consistently gotten more minutes, including PP time, than Heinen throughout their careers.

 

[PB37]

Heinen had a career high 47 points with Marchand and bergys a while back. Debrusk had a career high of 50.

That was Heinen's rookie year, which was the first year Perfection was together full time and was the primary 1st line trio when everyone was healthy. Heinen floated mostly in-between 2nd and 3rd lines and stepped up to the 1st when Marchand missed games. Riley Nash also spent time on the 1st line that year when Bergy got hurt.

 

[UncleRico]

think we probably want ppg, but yeah this is getting warmer

Why would we want points per game? It doesn’t paint the full picture. Being healthy and available is an asset and being often injured and not available is a negative.

Debrusk over his career has missed roughly 17% of possible games played. That absolutely has to be factored in to who he is as a player. Especially when it’s been a career long issue.

After all players who are injured have to be replaced with much lesser players when they are out which negatively impacts the team.

It really is getting crazy the hoops people are jumping through for Debrusk and what they are willing to ignore.

 

[UncleRico]

Every time with Debrusk it’s

“If we don’t count his bad years”
“If we don’t count the 15 games per year he misses”
“If he could only play on a consistent line”
“If he only wasn’t on PP2”
“It’s not a big deal he missed team meetings and got suspended by the team”
“If you use points per game instead of season totals he’s a 35 goal scorer”

There’s more excuses for him than any other player it feels like.