Bruins notebook: Jake DeBrusk not sweating new deal — yet
Jake DeBrusk, like many of his Bruins colleagues, was sporting some new color on Sunday following his All-Star break adventure—in his case, thanks to a beach in St. Bart’s.
He appears well-rested and prepared to play the last 33 games of the regular season, despite the fact that he is still recovering from an injury that prevented him from playing in the final game before the break in Philadelphia.
But while the 27-year-old DeBrusk still gives off his usual carefree vibe, there’s some pretty big unfinished personal business that’s hanging over him that he can’t ignore. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and he is currently without a contract extension.
The Boston Bruins should be concerned if they’re not any closer to a deal, even though the March 8 trade deadline is not a hard and fast timetable for the two parties to reach an agreement. DeBrusk is undoubtedly not a player who enjoys watching players leave for no reason in the summer.
If a deal can be reached, the trade deadline may serve as a catalyst for the parties to do so. It’s no accident that David Pastrnak, who found himself in a similar predicament to DeBrusk the previous season, signed a megacontract at the deadline.
DeBrusk, maintaining his oft-stated feeling that he wants to remain in Boston, was asked if the situation felt any more real to him now with the trade deadline approaching.
“I think it’s felt pretty real to me all year, to be honest,” said DeBrusk after Sunday’s practice. “Ever since the start of training camp, it’s one of those things where you want it to get done as fast as possible. Obviously we’re here now. When it comes to thoughts on that, I don’t really have any. But yeah, it’s a (month-plus) till the trade deadline and I hope it gets done quick.”
Perhaps he was employing the power of positive thinking, but DeBrusk expressed optimism that something would get done.
DeBrusk is in his sweet spot for earning. This is not only his first, but his best shot to make some real coin in his career. He just hopes he can get it here.
“That’s obviously something to consider. It’s a business at the end of the day,” said DeBrusk. “But in saying that, I think its one of those things where it gets talked about even more than when you’re actually in it because…I’m so used to just being here. I don’t really have any complaints on that.
People ask me about the appeal with (free agency) when they see that. However, after examining it, one hopes that it just doesn’t reach that stage. I kind of come from that background, where I don’t even want to be given the choice. That being said, I recognize that this is the first (kick) at the can. Still, I’m hoping it gets done.
DeBrusk can be compared to right wing Owen Tippett, who just inked an eight-year contract with the Flyers that carries an average salary of $6.2 million annually. Given that DeBrusk works on penalty killings, which Tippett does not do, DeBrusk’s team might even look north of that figure.
DeBrusk did not discuss wage targets, but he did say that he would want a longer deal than the two-year one that is now in place.
He said, “I think I’m more open, probably, to longer term.” “Everyone wants to be a Bruin for as long as they can, in my opinion. But I don’t have a number on either side. That goes over the details with my agent, Rick Valette, and general manager Don Sweeney. Even so, I think it’s great to have been a Bruin for the last seven years, and I wouldn’t mind getting another one if it happened to come up. It’s been a pleasure to be here.
Until a new deal is done, it’s still an open question on just how long that time will last…
Brad Marchand has twice been in line to represent Canada in the Olympics and twice he was crestfalllen when the NHL decided not to send its players to the Games. Now he’s got another shot after the league, the NHLPA and IIHF announcing over the weekend that they’ll be going to the 2026 and 2030 Games.
Marchand, who turns 36 in May, expressed his disappointment at missing the final two. That is undoubtedly a big objective. I will do every effort to ensure that I be present, in top physical condition, and in the greatest possible position to be a member of that team. Even though it’s far off, it’s still a worthwhile objective to pursue…
Jeremy Swayman, Pastrnak, and coach Jim Montgomery were the only three all-Stars not present at Sunday’s practice. Everyone else was present and accounted for. This comprised Matt Poitras, Derek Forbort, and DeBrusk, the guys who were not present at the previous game in Philadelphia.
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