Bruins GM Don Sweeney gives Jake DeBrusk updates as free agency approaches

Bruins GM Don Sweeney gives Jake DeBrusk updates as free agency approaches originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney met with reporters on Thursday in Las Vegas – the site of this week’s 2024 NHL Draft – and gave an update on where things stand with Jake DeBrusk and his future with the Original Six franchise.

Based on Sweeney’s comments, it appears there’s a good chance DeBrusk will test NHL free agency when the market opens on Monday at noon ET.

Sweeney admitted that the team and DeBrusk’s staff haven’t had productive contract negotiations “in some time.”

DeBrusk spent his entire seven-year NHL career with the Bruins after the team selected him 14th overall in the first round of the 2015 draft. He scored more than 20 goals three times, while also scoring 19 goals twice. times, including the 2023-24 campaign. DeBrusk has scored an average of 23.6 goals over the past three seasons, and his 71 goal total during that span is third-highest on the team behind David Pastrnak (148) and Brad Marchand (82).

Testing the market doesn’t guarantee DeBrusk will sign elsewhere, but it does give the 27-year-old forward a chance to see what kind of offers exist.

DeBrusk can be frustratingly inconsistent offensively, but he has worked hard to improve his two-way skill set over the past few seasons. He is now a reliable defensive player and a reliable penalty killer. Add to that his ability to score over 20 goals and it’s easy to see why he could be a valuable striker. His playoff resume is also impressive.

The Bruins lacked scoring depth with DeBrusk last season, especially in the playoffs when they scored two or fewer goals in nine of 13 games. If the Bruins lose DeBrusk as a free agent, that weakness will become even more glaring.

Fortunately for the Bruins, they have about $22 million in salary cap space, by CapFriendly. So, unlike last offseason, Sweeney has the financial flexibility to make one or two impact additions to his roster in the coming months.