The Future Of Jake DeBrusk With The Bruins
As the upcoming season looms, the Boston Bruins are poised to undergo a significant transformation from their 2022-23 lineup. The departure of key players has left a void that needs filling, and the onus will be on the existing team members to step up.
Among those players, Jake DeBrusk stands out. With seven years under his belt with the team, DeBrusk's impact on the ice has been evident. The approaching season adds extra motivation for him as he enters the final year of his contract, seeking to prove his value.
Selected 14th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, DeBrusk has been a consistent presence in the Bruins' offensive arsenal. Since making his debut in 2017, he's amassed an impressive record of 119 goals and 226 points across 385 games.
Notably, he matched his career-best with 27 goals last season. Had it not been for an unfortunate fractured fibula during the Winter Classic, DeBrusk might have easily surpassed the 30-goal milestone.
Under new head coach Jim Montgomery, DeBrusk has enjoyed a resurgence, tallying eight more points during the 2022-23 season than the previous year, despite playing fewer games.
His previous tension with former Head Coach Bruce Cassidy, even leading to a trade request, is no secret. However, Cassidy's departure marked a fresh start for DeBrusk, one that has benefited both him and the team.
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With the retirement of linemate Patrice Bergeron and the departure of David Krejci, DeBrusk faces adjustments in the season ahead. Bergeron's ability to elevate the performance of those around him is a loss that DeBrusk must navigate.
The vacant 1C role could potentially be taken up by Charlie Coyle or Pavel Zacha, both of whom DeBrusk needs to establish chemistry with. This transition comes at a crucial time as DeBrusk seeks a contract extension with a higher average annual value (AAV).
Presently, DeBrusk carries an annual cap hit of $4,000,000. Given comparable players' earnings, a raise for DeBrusk seems warranted. Players like Troy Terry and Tyler Bertuzzi provide a benchmark.
Terry's recent seven-year contract at $7,000,000 per year and Bertuzzi's $5.5 million agreement could guide negotiations. DeBrusk's age, career stats, and his role as a considerable asset for the Bruins justify an increase, potentially landing in the middle ground.
With approximately $30.9 million in cap space for the upcoming season, the Bruins have flexibility to navigate contract negotiations.
However, securing DeBrusk's extension during the season might be ideal to prevent exploring unrestricted free agency. DeBrusk's prowess on the ice is a commodity that other teams would surely covet if he were to hit free agency.
In conclusion, Jake DeBrusk's pivotal season arrives against a backdrop of change for the Boston Bruins. His performance will be closely watched as he strives to fill the gaps left by departing players and secures his future with the team.
