Before the trade deadline, Jake DeBrusk reveals his stance on extensions.

Before the trade deadline, Jake DeBrusk reveals his stance on extensions.

Taxes, death, and concerns about Jake DeBrusk’s prospects in Boston. As the NHL’s trade deadline of March 8 draws near and DeBrusk’s position as an upcoming free agent remains unchanged, the 27-year-old’s future with the franchise is uncertain once more.

DeBrusk publicly discussed approaching the season in the latter year of a two-year, $8 million contract that he signed back in March 2022 prior to the start of the season:

DeBrusk has maintained his public assurance that he wants to stay in Beantown despite all of the turmoil that has surrounded him. Although the 27-year-old made his remarks about the “two sides to tango” about five months ago, he is still scheduled to become a free agent. He recently declared that he still wanted to be a Bruin:

It’s easy to wonder how Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, and the Bruins front office see DeBrusk’s future with the team in light of his remarks. The forward seems to be playing the waiting game based on his statements, which might indicate that the front management hasn’t reached out to him or hasn’t matched his desire in a contract extension.

It would be problematic if it had taken the two parties this long to reach a joint assessment after five months had passed.

In 51 games this season, the Edmonton native has 12 goals, 13 assists, and 25 points. His plus/minus of +11 is eighth on the team. Among Bruins skaters, he also has the eighth-longest ice time. With Trent Federic on the other wing and Pavel Zacha in the middle, DeBrusk has mostly played on the team’s second line.

The Bruins, who are now second in the league behind the Vancouver Canucks, have the most points in the Eastern Conference after a record regular season run that ended a year ago. In the sole head-to-head meeting between the teams thus far, Boston defeated the Canucks 4-0 last Thursday at TD Garden.

DeBrusk, who was a member of Boston’s notorious 2015 draft class, is the fourth-most active player with 436 games played in a Bruins uniform. It remains to be seen if he adds to this sum in the future.