The Jake DeBrusk trade buzz isn’t going anywhere, and now two Atlantic Division teams have surfaced as possible destinations.
Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report put together five landing spots for the former Bruins forward, and the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators both made the list. For Boston, that’s the kind of rumor that lands with a thud. Those are two teams the Bruins could be fighting for a playoff spot, so the idea of DeBrusk landing with either one is not exactly a comforting thought for Don Sweeney and the front office.
DeBrusk, Boston’s former first-round pick, has been in the middle of trade chatter since the deadline back in March. The noise around him has only grown, and it’s starting to feel like a move could be coming sooner rather than later.
He left in free agency for the Vancouver Canucks after the 2023-24 season, and things have not gone the way Vancouver hoped. With the Canucks likely headed for a long retool or rebuild, DeBrusk does not want to be part of that.
Gretz’s full list also included the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and Minnesota Wild. From Boston’s point of view, those would be easier pills to swallow.
What won’t happen, at least according to the reporting here, is any kind of DeBrusk reunion in Boston. So unlike the returns of Connor Clifton last summer and Sean Kuraly two summers ago, this one would be about watching where he ends up next.
Bruins fans know the player well, and Canucks fans have spent the last two seasons learning the same lesson. When DeBrusk is rolling, he can tilt a game.
When he isn’t, the inconsistency can wear on a team. If he winds up with an Eastern Conference contender, though, that’s the version Boston would least want to see.
And given the way these rumors keep moving, it wouldn’t be a shock to see DeBrusk back in the East before long.
In Other News...
Bruins Prospect Suddenly Faces A Concerning Boston College Setback
Boston College finally got a clean result, beating St. Cloud State 4-0 at home for its first win of the season, and Dean Letourneau helped make it look comfortable with an empty-net goal and an active night throughout. For Bruins fans tracking the Eagles closely, the game offered a useful reminder that there are still bright spots in the program even as the early-season roster has been tested.
Will Moore was not among them, however, as coach Greg Brown confirmed the injured forward missed his second consecutive game. Browns update points to a more cautious timeline than the Eagles would like, and it leaves Boston College waiting for a key piece to return while trying to build on a much-needed breakthrough. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Comeback Featured A Breakthrough Boston Fans Will Love
The Bruins 4-2 comeback win over the Anaheim Ducks had the kind of depth and late-game poise that can carry a team through the early part of a season. Boston got goals from Elias Lindholm and Matthew Poitras to close it out, while David Pastrnak again showed up in a big moment by tying the game and continuing to add to his already important place in the franchise record book.
One of the nights best signs for Boston came from the blue line, where Frederic Brunet made an impact in a way the Bruins have been waiting to see. For a team trying to stack wins and build momentum before meeting the Los Angeles Kings next, getting contributions from across the roster is the sort of development that matters just as much as the final score. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Just Learned Something Important Without Charlie McAvoy
Charlie McAvoys six-game suspension for slashing Buffalos Zach Benson in the 2025-26 playoffs forced the Bruins into an uncomfortable stretch without one of their top defensemen, and the early read was that they handled it better than expected. Boston had to lean on different looks on the back end, shuffle its pairings and find a way to keep the game steady without McAvoy driving the blue line as usual.
The test also gave the Bruins something useful beyond just surviving the moment. After dropping two games along the way, they regrouped and finished the suspension period in decent shape, showing they have some workable options if they need to navigate more time without McAvoy. For a team trying to stay in the thick of the Atlantic race, that kind of discovery matters almost as much as the results themselves. [Read more 🡒]