SEATTLE — At this point a year ago, Jake DeBrusk hardly knew if he’d remain a Bruin for much longer.
DeBrusk’s trade request became public a couple of months prior. His reported falling out with head coach Bruce Cassidy only intensified after a post-Thanksgiving healthy scratch.
By February, DeBrusk had earned enough trust from his previous bench boss to move into a top-line role on his off-wing next to Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.
In his first game with Marchand and Bergeron, the 2015 first-round pick scored twice during that Feb. 24 tilt with the Kraken, including the overtime winner.