[Rumour] Sens exploring trade market with DeBrincat

[TheScorpion]

Pretty big news here from Elliotte:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1665809016591884288

There is word Monday afternoon that the Ottawa Senators have begun examining the trade market for winger Alex DeBrincat.

One source referred to it as “Ottawa’s due diligence,” as, according to multiple people, DeBrincat recently indicated he wished to wait until the completion of the Senators’ ownership saga before thinking of committing to a long-term extension. Even if the Senators pick a new owner in the near future, there’s still the sale-closing process — which will take time.


DeBrincat needs a new contract for 2023-24. He is one year away from unrestricted free agency.

As a result, the team is considering all options, everything from taking him to arbitration to a trade. With the NHL Draft 23 days away, the Senators absolutely need to know what could be available in exchange. (Neither GM Pierre Dorion nor agent Jeff Jackson would comment to Sportsnet.)

[1qqaaz]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1665811847394541568

[Tbull8]

Kadri for debrincat, build a Conroy statue in front of the new arena.

[powderjunkie]

Not surprising. 9M Qualifying offer (or did a rule on that change?), coming off a below average year for him.

[SuperMatt18]

So they probably have to take him to arbitration right...similar to the Flames with Tkachuk as that prevents him just taking the Qualifying Offer.

[ComixZone]

This was pretty clearly what was going to happen the moment Ottawa acquired him. That was such a bad trade. Ottawa's predictable impatience has impacted the ceiling of their rebuild in my eyes. 7th overall + 39th overall + 3rd in 2024, I can't imagine they're going to extract that much value out of this.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

So they probably have to take him to arbitration right...similar to the Flames with Tkachuk as that prevents him just taking the Qualifying Offer.

Also prevents another team from giving an offer sheet as well, which is partly what I think Treliving was thinking at the time.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

This was pretty clearly what was going to happen the moment Ottawa acquired him. That was such a bad trade. Ottawa's predictable impatience has impacted the ceiling of their rebuild in my eyes. 7th overall + 39th overall + 3rd in 2024, I can't imagine they're going to extract that much value out of this.

Yup. I am hoping he isn't open to signing here otherwise I could the Flames trade for him this offseason to try and stay competitive after trading away a mixture of the upcoming UFAs and further extending their bubble run.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Yup. I am hoping he isn't open to signing here otherwise I could the Flames trade for him this offseason to try and stay competitive after trading away a mixture of the upcoming UFAs and further extending their bubble run.

I certainly wouldn't object to the Flames trading away a bunch of 30+ guys and flipping the assets for a 25-year-old signed long-term

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I certainly wouldn't object to the Flames trading away a bunch of 30+ guys and flipping the assets for a 25-year-old signed long-term

I'd rather they just trade the UFAs and keep the assets. DeBrincat won't make the Flames a contender if Kadri is their #1 center.

[blankall]

Debrincat is a tough one for me. Some of the best hands in the game, when it comes to putting the puck in the net. He's also tiny, but doesn't play like that.

If the Flames can talk him down a bit on price and a find a way to retain Lindholm, it would actually be pretty great. Maybe a Hanafin or Tanev deal.

Debrincat isn't that franchise player, but he consistently puts pucks in the net, even when his team is behind, something the Flames were sorely lacking.

[Tbull8]

I could see the rangers being very interested. Move one of Kakko or Laf in a package for him, sign long term, and maybe get Kane signed cheap to play together again

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Really unsurprising. It seems they have too many forwards and not enough defenders. I was always confused at the trade for him because he doesn't quite fit their needs or their window for competing.

[DazzlinDino]

It would be ideal if the Flames could trade Kadri and keep Lindy. If the Flames can get younger that would be a good signing. Plus Debrincatis is a right hand shot.

[Inferno]

Another guy for Connor and Leon to convince to take a big paycut to win multiple Cups. Because we've been told they're close.

[SuperMatt18]

Last three seasons at 5V5

Player A: GP: 215, TOI: 3168. G: 46, P: 98 48.3% XGF%

Player B: GP: 220, TOI: 2782, G: 53, P: 98 57.9% XGF%

Personally I wouldn't be moving assets to get Debrincat (Player A), when we have a similar player already in Mangiapane (Player B)

If we are going to move premium assets I think it needs to be for a center.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Last three seasons at 5V5

Player A: GP: 215, TOI: 3168. G: 46, P: 98 48.3% XGF%

Player B: GP: 220, TOI: 2782, G: 53, P: 98 57.9% XGF%

Personally I wouldn't be moving assets to get Debrincat (Player A), when we have a similar player already in Mangiapane (Player B)

If we are going to move premium assets I think it needs to be for a center.

Except because Debrincat is a top line kind of guy, he gets power play time and the Flames need a good power play guy who can carry the puck.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

This was pretty clearly what was going to happen the moment Ottawa acquired him. That was such a bad trade. Ottawa's predictable impatience has impacted the ceiling of their rebuild in my eyes. 7th overall + 39th overall + 3rd in 2024, I can't imagine they're going to extract that much value out of this.

Wheeler has Korchinski (who the Hawks drafted with the 7th overall pick) ranked #12 for NHL drafted prospects. Projecting to be a top-pairing guy. Will probably be a second-pairing guy while he’s still on his entry-level contract. In 3 seasons, the Sens are going to be wishing they had a player that slotted in like that.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Not surprising. 9M Qualifying offer (or did a rule on that change?), coming off a below average year for him.

The rule changed, but only during the CBA extension negotiated during COVID and only applies to contracts signed since then. DeBrincat's contract was signed in 2019, so it still has the $9 million QO.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Except because Debrincat is a top line kind of guy, he gets power play time and the Flames need a good power play guy who can carry the puck.

Maybe. Maybe we should just be giving Mangiapane more PP time.

If Debrincat is a top line kind of guy at 5v5 then why isn't Mangiapane? Production states they are very similar and Mangiapane technically out produces him at 5v5.

The PP production is so dependent on role within the PP, and how the PP is set up. I'm not sure I'm trading for a player based strictly on their PP performance, too much risk it won't carry over.

The way we look at PP production and total production is so funny. I look at Tyler Toffoli this past season...he was given a prime role as a focal point on our top PP (ahead of even Lindholm as a RH shot option IMO). Everyone is very excited by has career season with 73 points. But what is missed is a big part of that is because he was given his first real shot at top line PP minutes in his career. His 25 points were 13 higher than his previous best season at 12 points (Sell high candidate alert!).

At 5v5 Mangiapane is actually better than Debrincat based on counting stats and analytics...but for some reason I'm led to believe that Debrincat provides all this extra value on the PP that Mangiapane can't provide. Or maybe it's just the opportunity, just like it was for Toffoli.