Will Jake DeBrusk remain with Bruins after 2023-24? GM weighs in

Jake DeBrusk is set to become a free agent for the first time his career after the 2023-24 NHL season unless he and the Bruins can come to terms on a long-term deal. The forward tied his career-high in goals in 2022-23 and tallied 23 assists — numbers that surely would have been inflated had it not been for a fractured fibula suffered in the Winter Classic.

Ultimately the decision is DeBrusk’s if he wants to remain in Boston or test the market.

General manager Don Sweeney said the team will meet with DeBrusk’s camp about a potential extension and hopes they can find common ground on the matter.

“We’d like to know if Jake indeed does what to be here,” Sweeney said Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena. “Hopefully we can find common ground. We’d like to see Jake remain with the Boston Bruins.”

At one point in appeared DeBrusk wasn’t going to wear the eight-spoked B after he requested a trade from the organization in November 2021. The Bruins ended up signing the forward to a two-year contract extension at the trade deadline and he was never moved. After the 2021-22 season came to an end, then-coach Bruce Cassidy was relieved of his duties and DeBrusk rescinded his trade request a few months later.

“Jake deserves a lot of credit. He put all those things aside and just went out and performed, was on pace for a really, really good year. Had a really good year,” Sweeney said. “Even more so, battled through a couple of different injuries and came back and played well again. I think that’s Jake’s maturity both as a player, as a person are an important part of our club.”

DeBrusk played with renewed confidence under Jim Montgomery last season and played hero in the Winter Classic when he scored two goals — including the game-winner — after suffering hand and leg injuries that sidelined him for over a month.

The Bruins would benefit knowing where they stand with DeBrusk so they can plan for the future. Even though the 2023-24 season doesn’t start for another few weeks, Boston is set to see a significant cap increase for next season.

DeBrusk told NHL.com’s Derek Van Diest in August that he’s “hoping to stay” with the Bruins, but was going to let his agent Rick Valette handle everything.

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For now DeBrusk and the rest of the Bruins reported to training camp on Wednesday. They’ll have their first on-ice sessions on Thursday as the countdown to Oct. 11 against the Chicago Blackhawks begins.