Exclusive: What Bruins’ Jim Montgomery Believes about Jake DeBrusk.
General manager Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins must choose whether to resign or let go of a number of players as they head into NHL free agency with cap space over $21 million.
Free agent forward Jake DeBrusk is the top player on the list, without restriction.
Sweeney stated that DeBrusk is a “big part” of the team’s future and that the Bruins intend to keep the 27-year-old during the team’s end-of-season news conference.
DeBrusk, in the opinion of Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery, is maturing and has changed the franchise’s fortunes.
“His NHL future appears bright,” According to Montgomery, “his career has been really good so far, and he’s coming into his prime,” on the “NHL Wraparound Podcast.” “After playing through a few injuries this year, you look at how good he was for us in the playoffs this year.”
“One thing you realize, that I really observed,” Montgomery went on, “is that he was quite honest about where he thought his play was every time I talked to him one-on-one. When Jake was performing at his best, we discussed consistency a lot. For us, Jake changed the game. Because of his perseverance, quickness, and skill, he has the ability to quickly alter the course of a game.
DeBrusk totaled 465 games played for the Bruins, with 138 goals and 128 assists. With 27 goals and 23 assists in 64 games during Boston’s record-breaking 2022–2023 season, he recorded a career-high 50 points.
Despite having 19 goals and 21 assists in 80 games, DeBrusk’s 2023–24 season was not as productive as previous years. He acknowledged that he broke his hand throughout the season, which did not heal until just before the postseason. DeBrusk led the club in points (11) and goals (five) as soon as the playoffs started.
Although he acknowledged that winning a Stanley Cup is his top desire moving forward, DeBrusk still believes the Bruins can help him get there.