The Boston Bruins' dynamic winger, Jake DeBrusk, finds himself at the center of fervent fan debates due to his impending contract situation. With only one year remaining on his $4 million cap-hit deal, two distinct discussions have emerged.
On one side, proponents advocate for an early contract signing, urging the team to secure DeBrusk's future before a specific date to avoid the risk of losing him to free agency without compensation. On the other side, there are those who believe that if DeBrusk's annual average value (AAV) reaches a certain figure, a trade might be the prudent course of action.
DeBrusk became eligible to negotiate an extension from July 1, 2023, onward, and the Bruins are likely to explore securing his services well before the free agency frenzy ensues.
However, in the absence of a deal by the trade deadline, the management faces a tough decision: whether to explore trade possibilities. Assessing DeBrusk's value becomes a pivotal task, encompassing considerations of his on-ice performance and cap percentages in relation to star player Brad Marchand.