We are a little more than a week away from the NHL trade deadline and Jake DeBrusk doesn’t have any better idea of where he’ll be playing hockey beyond March 8, let alone next year.

DeBrusk, scheduled to make his first foray into unrestricted free agency in the summer, said on Wednesday that there has been no progress on a potential contract extension with the Bruins.

That situation can change with one phone call, of course, but the uncertainty surely doesn’t help the annual nervous feeling he gets around this time of year.

“Of course I (worry),” said DeBrusk. “I feel like I’ve been around here long enough to know how the league works. Obviously there are different things. Guys get injured around the league and different stuff happens that’s out of our control. It’ll be interesting to see which teams are aggressive and which teams aren’t. But of course, you always have that in the back of your mind. Obviously two years ago it was a little more intense on that side of things. But I think ever since I’ve been here, I’ve been worried.”

Two seasons ago was when DeBrusk had an active trade request at the deadline. The B’s, of course, did not trade him. Instead, they gave him a two-year extension. It looked like a wise move at the time. After the B’s fired coach Bruce Cassidy, with whom the wing butted heads, DeBrusk rescinded the trade request and went on to have a very good season in 2022-23, equaling a career-high with 27 goals and posting a personal best 50 points despite missing a month with a broken leg.

But 2023-24 has been a strange and no doubt frustrating season for DeBrusk, and one that surely hasn’t helped the Bruins and his camp find common ground on a value for him. He’s learned how to use speed and reach to become a vastly improved defensive player and he does things that help his team win no a lot of nights. But the scoring has not been there. With 22 games left in the regular season He’s got just 13 goals and 27 points.

What the B’s do with him by this time next Friday is anyone’s guess. With first place overall still within their reach, it’s hard to see the B’s trading him for future considerations alone. They’re already in need of another top six forward and getting rid of one they have doesn’t help. Perhaps they could move him and his $4 million salary for a high draft and then flip that to fill a need, whether it’s for a forward or a defenseman.

Or the B’s could simply let it play out and see if his performance down the stretch and the playoffs can bring the two sides together on a deal. But the closer they get to July 1 the greater the risk he walks and the B’s get nothing in return.

For now, DeBrusk can only wait it out.

“Usually when there are trades around the league it kind of stirs up talks between the guys but it’s been a pretty busy schedule, to be honest, with these time changes,” said DeBrusk. “It’s in the back of everyone’s mind obviously because nobody’s really safe. It’s one of those times where it’s always intense and stressful and as a fan it’s exciting – and stressful as well. It’s just how it goes. I’ve been through some pretty interesting ones to be honest.”

Captain Brad Marchand said it’s a worrisome time of year.

“I think everybody gets nervous at trade deadline, except maybe (Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak),” said Marchand with a grin. “But I think the biggest thing is when you start worrying about things that are out of your control. You never really know how things are going to play out. The biggest thing is trying to focus on being here and trying to enjoy every day. The biggest thing is trying not to get caught up in it. We have enough to worry about outside of that. The more you let your mind wander, the tougher you make it on yourself. It’s about trying to stay within the game, within the room and not worrying about too much outside attention and media attention. It does get tough because there’s a lot of chatter about it, but you just have to try to (avoid it.)”….

A big focus in Wednesday’s meetings and practice had to do with how they approach third periods when they have a lead. They’ve looked tentative to start the thirds and lost leads – and ultimately games – in Vancouver and Seattle.

“It’s really what we discussed today as a group,” said coach Jim Montgomery. “When you look at the overall league, it’s seems to be happening everywhere, but we concern ourselves with us and how we’re playing. When we look at these last two games, it’s why in the second game? Vancouver had a real good push. We don’t feel Seattle had so much of a push. It was more of our lack of poise with the puck and game management that allowed them to get the opportunities to get back in the game.”…

Speaking of the trade deadline, Montgomery, whose team has won just one game in regulation in the month of February, was asked if he felt his team was in need of the shot in the arm that a transaction could provide.

“I could use a shot in the arm,” said Montgomery with a laugh. “You know what? There are so many swings during the year, and we’ve seen that this year. And I think all these swings are going to help us. Because you’ve got to overcome a lot more this year than we’ve had to in the pat. That’s a good thing in the long run. Everyone wants to peak at the right time. And peaking right now isn’t the right time.”…

Hampus Lindhom, who has been termed week-to-week with a lower body injury, skated with assistant coach John McLean before practice but Montgomery said he’s just beginning his road back and won’t be available for Thursday’s game against Cassidy’s Vegas Golden Knights, who are banged up but managed to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-2, on Tuesday.

Jack Eichel (knee) is on the trip and skated in the team’s optional practice but Cassidy does not expect him to play on Thursday, though he’s getting closer.