Less than a year after they acquired him from the Chicago Blackhawks, the Ottawa Senators are reportedly exploring all different avenues — including the trade market — for star winger Alex DeBrincat.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday that DeBrincat recently indicated to the Senators that he “wished to wait until the completion of the Senators’ ownership saga before thinking of committing to a long-term extension.”
The Senators, currently owned by the Melnyk estate, have been involved over recent weeks in protracted sale talks with multiple parties, which, as Friedman suggested, “will take time.”
DeBrincat, 25, is set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. He’s due a $9 million qualifying offer and is one year away from becoming eligible to hit the open market as a UFA.
The Senators traded for DeBrincat ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft, sending the No. 7 pick (Kevin Korchinski), a 2022 second-round pick (Paul Ludwinski), and a 2024 third-round pick to Chicago in the deal. DeBrincat collected 27 goals and 66 points in 82 games with the Senators during the 2022–23 regular season.
The Blackhawks originally selected DeBrincat in the second round (No. 39 overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. He made the jump to the NHL with the team in 2017 and immediately established himself as a high-end scorer.
DeBrincat surpassed the 40-goal plateau in only his second season in Chicago and scored 41 goals again in 2021–22, his final season with the Blackhawks. He helped Chicago qualify for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, collecting six points in nine games.
Noted for his durability, DeBrincat has missed only four games in his six complete NHL seasons. In 450 career regular-season games with Chicago and Ottawa, DeBrincat has collected 187 goals and 373 points.
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