MONTREAL – The Boston Bruins forward Jake Debrask has denied a trade request made in November, Boston general manager Don Sweeney confirmed on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the NHL’s draft entry, which starts on Thursday, Sweeney said the previously disgruntled Bruins winger had a more positive outlook for his future with the club after last season and was determined to stay.
“We’re so excited about how Jake feels about the Boston Bruins and wants to be with us,” Sweeney said. “He had hell in the second half of the year and he deserves a lot of credit for the production and he’s looking forward to coming back … I think he was in a much better place when the season ended.”
After news of Debrusk’s request became public in November, Sweeney indicated that he would try to facilitate the “hockey trade” that would help the Bruins and give Debrusk a fresh start he was looking for.
Debrisk was a regular contributor to the Bruins, scoring 25 goals and 42 points in 77 games.
Boston looked at a possible deal for Debrisk, but nothing happened at the end of the year. Debrisk is set to become a banned free agent this summer, with Sweeney signing him in March for a two-year, $ 8 million extension to ease a potential deal.
As it turns out, he doesn’t have to search – at least not now. Sweeney will not reject Debrask’s trade at any time if necessary for the club’s improvement, as is the case with most other players. He is no longer in the lead.
“I’m looking for opportunities to improve the team and Jake knows that too,” Sweeney said. “And that’s what I want to see. But we’re glad he’s in a good place.”
Boston president Cam Neal met with the media on Wednesday and said David Pasternak’s agent, JP Barry, would meet with the club in Montreal about the expansion. Pasternak is in the final season of a six-year, 40 million contract.