The Bruins have a slew of free agents this offseason and they have to decide whether to re-sign them or let them hit the market. Jake DeBrusk is one of those impending free agents, and it sounds as if he’s going to explore other opportunities and see what’s out there.
“I suspect that Jake will head to UFA and test the market,” general manager Don Sweeney told reporters in Las Vegas on Thursday ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft. “Remain consistent that we have been in negotiations with Jake — haven’t had any productive talks in quite some time.
“At end of the day, that’s his prerogative to see what July 1 brings for him,” he added.
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The forward likely hitting free agency doesn’t come as all that of a surprise. Sweeney said in May that negotiations are a “two-way street” and that the Bruins “took an aggressive position” with DeBrusk.
DeBrusk, after having a strong 2022-23 season, took a step back during the regular season. While he was still offensively productive with 19 goals and 21 assists in 80 games, his numbers dipped from a year ago and found himself snake-bitten at times.
But he was Boston’s best forward throughout its playoff run that ultimately ended in the second round at the hands of the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
During Bruins’ breakup day, DeBrusk admitted he was surprised he hadn’t signed an extension yet, and that he had yet to have talks with the team about one.
“I see a path here. I have lots of still have hope,” he said. “If you told me at the beginning of the year, I’d be here without a contract, I probably wouldn’t believe you. At the same time I’ve always loved my time here. There’s a lot of great memories even from my rookie season to now.”
Other free agents include Danton Heinen, Pat Maroon, Matt Grzelcyk, James van Riemsdyk, Kevin Shattenkirk and Derek Forbort. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Maroon find a new team after Mark Kastelic came to Boston in the trade with the Senators that sent Linus Ullmark to Ottawa. Kastelic is a physical bottom-six forward, which essentially was the role Maroon played for the Bruins after they traded for the veteran.
Sweeney confirmed there are no deals in place for any pending UFAs.
“They kind of know what our position is,” Sweeney said.
As for the general manager’s overall plan, he said he wants to “deepen the middle of the ice.”
“So, that’s where we’ve been focused on trying to have those talks with our group to say, ‘Ok, well who would be the guy?’ and then make, hopefully, the pitch at the right time,” Sweeney told reporters, while also noting he wants to “strengthen the back end” of the team.
The NHL Draft begins Friday and the Bruins have a first-round pick (25th overall) that they got from the Senators in the Ullmark trade. Boston originally traded the pick in 2022-23 in order to acquire Tyler Bertuzzi from the Detroit Red Wings.
Free agency begins July 1, and the Bruins will begin to check boxes off their lengthy to-do list.
