Bruins said to be working on 'fresh start' for Jake DeBrusk

Forward Jake DeBrusk was a healthy scratch for the Boston Bruins against the Vancouver Canucks Sunday and it appears the team and player are looking to move on from each other. That's according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"Hearing that BOS and Jake DeBrusk are working on the possibility of a fresh start for the player," said Friedman. "Told nothing is imminent at this time, but something to keep an eye on."

Meanwhile, Ryan Rishaug of TSN reports DeBrusk has requested a trade.

"Spoke with Rick Valette today, agent for Jake DeBrusk, he confirmed he asked for a trade over the weekend," said Rishaug. "It's felt a change of scenery moving forward would be beneficial. Debrusk will remain with the team while the Bruins try and facilitate the request."

DeBrusk has just one goal in his last 13 games and has one or fewer shots in his last seven. The Bruins are certainly hoping for more from him and Erik Haula, but the team isn't getting it right now.

"I think what happens with Jake and what we've seen over the last few years is, like when the production is there you're getting more second effort, they kind of go hand in hand," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters Sunday while explaining why he scratched DeBrusk. "When it's not there, we lose a little bit of that. That's been the ask of him for a number of years now -- no drop off on this side of the ledger just because the production isn't there."

"Any 20-goal scorer still only scores once every four games if they're playing every game, more or less, so you still need the other things. A little bit more of an ask there on second effort away from the puck, working to keep it out of your net, etc. We understand certain guys can be physical when they're not scoring or bringing something, and for him, it's foot speed, and I'd like to see that every night. I'd like to see him impact the game with his foot speed every night in some way shape or form, whether it's the forecheck, attacking the net, the penalty kill, whatever the case may be."

DeBrusk seems to have been in Cassidy's doghouse for a while now, and deservedly so. Perhaps a fresh start is what both sides need.

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