Jake DeBrusk Reveals Extension Stance Ahead of Trade Deadline

Death, taxes, and questions about Jake DeBrusk's future in Boston. With the NHL's March 8 trade deadline approaching and no changes in DeBrusk's status as an impending free agent, the 27-year-old once again finds his future with the team unsure.

Prior the beginning of the season, DeBrusk openly spoke about entering the campaign in the final year of a 2-year, $8 million deal that he inked back in March 2022:

Despite all of the uncertainty that has surrounded DeBrusk, he has been (at least publicly) certain that his desire is to remain in Beantown. Nearly five months have passed since his "two sides to tango" comments, the 27-year-old is still set to hit free agency. More recently, he professed his desire to remain a Bruin:

"I always have optimism. I feel like it would be pretty depressing if I didn’t have optimism that I’d be here. But it’s one of those things that I hope it gets done. I have an agent for a reason and I’ve obviously been with this organization for my whole career... I feel like I know where I stand with this lineup, I feel like I know where I am with the guys in this room and the city as well, the highs and lows. … You just go and just focus on the little things and I think everything should take care of itself."

- Jake DeBrusk on Feb. 4

Given DeBrusk's comments, it is easy to question how Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, and the Bruins front office forecasts his future with the franchise. The forward's comments insinuate that he's been playing a waiting game, which means one of two things: the front office either hasn't matched DeBrusk's interest in a contract extension, or they have failed to meet his number.

With five months elapsed, it would be somewhat concerning if it has taken the two sides this long to arrive at a mutual valuation.

The Edmonton native has 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 51 games this season. His +11 plus/minus ranks eighth on the club. His total time on ice also ranks eighth among Bruins skaters. DeBrusk has primarily featured on the team's second line with Trent Federic on the opposite wing and Pavel Zacha centering.

A year removed from a historic regular season run, the Bruins currently boast the highest point total in the Eastern Conference and second-highest point total in the league, trailing only the Vancouver Canucks. Boston beat the Canucks 4-0 last Thursday at TD Garden in the teams' only head-to-head matchup thus far.

Part of Boston's infamous 2015 draft class, DeBrusk has played 436 games in a Bruins sweater, the fourth-most among their active roster. Only time will tell if he will continue to add to this total.

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