Alex DeBrincat's future with Senators in doubt after latest development

Alex Debrincat's future with the Ottawa Senators is up in the air, but the latest development indicates an inevitable parting of ways between the two sides. 

According to insider Pierre LeBrun, DeBrincat and his agent have provided the Senators with a list of "preferred destinations" in preparation for a potential trade out of Ottawa. 

DeBrincat's list of teams is unknown, but LeBrun theorizes that it includes the Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Western Conference Champion Vegas Golden Knights.

As LeBrun points out, signing DeBrincat to an extension before a trade is a possibility. It makes sense, especially if Ottawa wants to "maximize" the return for the young star. 

A team interested in DeBrincat would be more likely to part with higher-tier assets knowing he's locked in long-term, and with a contract out of the way, trade discussions may be less complicated. 

A season away from unrestricted free agency, DeBrincat is in line for an extension. However, he recently revealed his desire to pause talks with the Senators amid uncertainty surrounding the franchise's ownership. 

In response, reports emerged early this week that the Senators were doing "due diligence" in examining the trade market for DeBrincat. Following Wednesday's development, it seems the Senators may have to move past the feeling-out process, and quickly. 

DeBrincat could be on the move for the second offseason in a row. The Senators acquired DeBrincat in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2022 NHL Draft in exchange for three draft choices including a first-rounder. 

The 25-year-old had a down season by his standards in 2022-23, tallying 66 points (27 goals, 39 assists) playing in all 82 regular season games for Ottawa. 

If DeBrincat is eventually traded, whoever lands him will be adding one of the league's premiere young goal-scorers. Since making his NHL debut in 2017-18, DeBrincat has averaged 34 goals per season