5 Bruins Leaving Boston in 2024
Depending on how the rest of the 2023-24 NHL season unfolds, don't count on seeing these Bruins lasting the entire New Year in Boston.
The entire 2023 calendar year has been a rollercoaster for Boston Bruins fans.
The Bruins finished the 2022-23 season with the highest point total in NHL history only to get bumped by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the playoffs. Boston was then projected to regress after losing Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to retirement but has instead been a top-five team throughout the current campaign.
Nevertheless, the March trade deadline is rapidly approaching, meaning more familiar faces could be leaving Beantown shortly. Additionally, free agency only opens a few months after that, which will bring even more chances to Boston's roster in 2024.
With that in mind, here are five Bruins who are likely leaving Boston in the New Year.
5 Bruins Most Likely to Be Gone in the New Year
1. Jake DeBrusk, LW
Jake DeBrusk has been one of the more frustrating Bruins to watch throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
The 27-year-old winger is experiencing the worst performance of his seven-year career. Heading into the New Year, DeBrusk is on pace for 10 goals and 18 assists for 32 points as long as he doesn't miss another game. While that number of assists would be the third-best mark of his career, the 10 goals would be his fewest in an 82-game campaign.
Some Bruins fans might have faith in a turnaround, but I wouldn't hold my breath. DeBrusk is at the stage of his career where players stop getting better and I'm not saying he'll never hit the 20-goal mark again, but his days as a consistent 25-plus goalscorer could be numbered.
DeBrusk will also hit free agency in the summer and a fresh start could be best for both sides. Considering how he requested a trade as recently as September 2022, I won't be surprised if DeBrusk explores his options come July if he isn't moved by the deadline.