3 Potential Trade Destinations for Jake DeBrusk

It is trade season and Jake DeBrusk is again in the trade conversation.

Here we are again.

As March 8th continues to get closer and closer, the Bruins have yet to make a move. Certainly, Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan were two targets they desired, but both have found new homes.

But could the big move this trade deadline end up being somebody going out?

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Now, I know. Jake DeBrusk has been mentioned in trade talks since what feels like the beginning of time. Could it be another year of just rumors and no action? Certainly. But now, a DeBrusk trade could further open up the Bruins' options for more trades. 

Despite a decrease in production this season, the 27-year-old still has solid trade value. With Boston holding zero picks in the first three rounds of the upcoming draft, a move on DeBrusk could result in picks or prospects that could give Boston more flexibility.

An unrestricted free agent at the end of this year, DeBrusk's future with Boston is up in the air. Do they re-sign, trade him, or risk losing him for nothing in free agency? If he were to be traded, here are three potential destinations.

There could be a bigger move in play should the Bruins deal DeBrusk to Calgary. The key guy could be Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin. It appears Hanifin will not re-sign with Calgary, meaning he could be the biggest defenseman traded by the deadline. The Bruins have been rumored to be interested in Hanifin. 

While the Bruins might not want to let DeBrusk go for Hanifin, it is a trade that could make sense for both sides. Both unrestricted free agents and both could sign long-term deals after the season. For the Bruins, Hanifin fills a need. They lack left-shot defensemen. 

For Calgary, DeBrusk could immediately slide into the top-six and a potential extension could come in the offseason as Calgary is likely to lose multiple defensemen to the free agent market.

Could the Edmonton boy head back to Alberta? This is a trade scenario that could make sense for both the Oilers and the Bruins. 

DeBrusk could immediately fortify an excellent top-six for the Oilers. We saw last season the production DeBrusk has with top talent and it resulted in 27 goals. DeBrusk on a line with McDavid or Draisaitl could immediately pay dividends for Edmonton, especially considering Warren Foegele is playing above where he should in the depth chart. 

For Boston, getting back a defenseman such as Brett Kulak and maybe even Foegele tossed in would benefit them as well. Foegele has had a great year and is an immediate spark plug to any lineup. Kulak is another left-handed defenseman who would provide further defensive depth, something coveted come playoff time. If neither of those, the Bruins will attempt to acquire draft capital instead from Edmonton.

If the Sharks can agree to a sign-and-trade with Jake DeBrusk, I think the destination makes sense. Who could Boston get in return? Maybe defenseman Mario Ferraro? Ferraro has been excellent on a below-average Sharks team and provides plenty of excellent defense. Ferraro also still has two more years at an AAV of $3.25 million. With the Bruins having multiple expiring contracts on their back end, trading for Ferraro makes lots of sense.

If the Sharks can also give Boston winger Anthony Duclair who is also on an expiring deal, trading DeBrusk seems the most likely scenario. However, if the Sharks are going to give up those pieces, I think they would prefer to have DeBrusk locked in first as they continue to undergo their rebuild.

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