Bruins Trade Rumors: Bold 4-Player Proposal Would Land Jake DeBrusk in Edmonton

One of the big questions surrounding the Boston Bruins heading to the trade deadline is what becomes of impending free agent Jake DeBrusk? Extension talks are going nowhere, and the biggest question, notes Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, is will DeBrusk wind up being a 'playoff rental', so to speak, in Beantown, or elsewhere?

“Does he wind up back west as a playoff rental for a contender out there – we’ve all heard the Oilers rumors – or does he become a playoff rental for the Bruins,” one NHL source asked Boston Hockey Now recently. “It sure doesn’t seem like he’s signing an extension – if he signs one – before the season’s over.”

With that, Allan Mitchell of The Athletic has proposed the following four-player trade that would get DeBrusk to his hometown Edmonton Oilers, who are looking for a top-six boost. With both teams having little cap room and few draft assets and draft capital to move, an old-fashioned two-for-two deal could work for both clubs:

Edmonton Oilers Receive:

• Jake DeBrusk
• Derek Forbort

Boston Bruins Receive:

• Brett Kulak
• Warren Foegele

Despite an off season for DeBrusk, a fresh move and a pairing with Leon Draisaitl could re-ignite him, and the Oilers would get the offensive addition they've been looking for, along with some insurance on defense in Forbort, while rising prospect Philip Broberg—once he's recovered from injury—could move up to the big club as well. 

For Boston, Foegele could be a cheaper re-signing option with the potential to come close to replacing DeBrusk's offense. Kulak comes in and addresses the injury problems on the left side of the Boston blueline. 

It would certainly be a bold move for both teams, and a creative one.

Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports