Jake DeBrusk ‘hoping to stay’ with Bruins and avoid free agency

After requesting then later rescinding his trade request, Jake DeBrusk is hopeful to avoid free agency and remain with the Bruins.

“I’m hoping to stay (with the Boston Bruins). It’s the only team that I know and the team that I grew up with,” DeBrusk told NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest at the Perry Pearn 3 vs. 3 Hockey Camp. “Hopefully it goes in that direction, and we’ll see how it goes. That’s why I have an agent (Rick Valette), and I told him I wanted to stay out of this one and in time, it’ll be nice when it all gets done.”

DeBrusk, drafted in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Bruins, requested a trade out of Boston in November 2022. He and the team remained tight-lipped about what led up to the request, only confirming the reports that he asked to be moved. The 2022 NHL trade deadline rolled around and the Bruins signed the forward to a two-year contract extension in what was a surprise move at the time. The Black and Gold reportedly looked to move DeBrusk, but was unsuccessful.

Bruce Cassidy was fired as coach at the end of the 2021-22 season, and not long after DeBrusk rescinded his trade request. DeBrusk never confirmed nor denied Cassidy’s status had anything to do with changing his mind, but said “it wasn’t that hard of a decision to make,” and that he had plenty of support from his teammates.

The 2022-23 season saw an elevated level of play from DeBrusk. He scored 27 goals to go along with 23 assists — numbers that surely would have been inflated had he not suffered a fractured fibula in the 2023 Winter Classic.

Now he’s set to hit the free agent market next summer unless he and the Bruins come to terms on a long-term deal. But DeBrusk’s focus remains on hockey and the season ahead.

“It’s not my first time going through this. It’s my third time my contract is up with them,” DeBrusk told Van Diest. “I kind of know what to expect, although it’s a little bit different with now being a UFA. I’m not too focused on that. I’ve kind of tested the waters before and I’m just going to focus on hockey.”

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DeBrusk became a reliable top-six player last year and was consistent on the penalty kill, so it certainly will be interesting to see how it all pans out. Especially if the 2023-24 season doesn’t go well for the Bruins by the time the trade deadline rolls around.