LATEST | Major turnaround at the draft for the Ottawa Senators?
The Ottawa Senators held their season-ending media availability on Friday and it was a tough year for the organization, who had ambitions of being a playoff team. They took a big step forward and will need to be even better next season to clinch a playoff berth in the very tough Atlantic Division.
The biggest question mark this summer for Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion is what to do with 25-year-old forward Alex DeBrincat. DeBrincat is a restricted free agent and has a qualifying offer of $9 million that the Senators have already reportedly said they will issue to him. But is there a chance he might not be an Ottawa Senator next season?
They had acquired him from the Blackhawks for the 9th Overall Pick in 2022, a 2nd Round Pick in that same draft along with a 3rd Rounder in 2024.
According to TSN's Bruce Garrioch, he believes that DeBrincat has no desire to sign with the Senators and could be moved by the team at the NHL Entry Draft in June.
"Well I think that's a decision that's going to be made before the draft. Pierre Dorion has declared that he will make a $9 million qualifying offer to Alex DeBrincat. But from what I heard this morning, I think we're talking about a guy who has no inclination of signing here. That's just my feeling. He said he's open to having discussions, but I found what he said was very non-committal, he didn't show any sign that he's going to sign a contract extension here." Garrioch said.
He added, "The Senators won't keep him unless they can get some kind of long-term extension in place. They've had the door open here since they acquired him last July. There have been no substantive discussions between Alex DeBrincat, Pierre Dorion and DeBrincat's agent Jeff Jackson. I think there's a possibility and a slight possibility that at the draft, we may see Alex DeBrincat get moved."
He added, "The Senators won't keep him unless they can get some kind of long-term extension in place. They've had the door open here since they acquired him last July. There have been no substantive discussions between Alex DeBrincat, Pierre Dorion and DeBrincat's agent Jeff Jackson. I think there's a possibility and a slight possibility that at the draft, we may see Alex DeBrincat get moved."
DeBrincat, a native of Farmington Hills (Michigan), had a strong first season with the Ottawa Senators but saw his production dip by 12 points compared to his final year with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 82 games this season, he had 66 points (27 goals, 39 assists), 45 penalty minutes and was a minus-31.
There's no questioning what DeBrincat can bring from an offensive standpoint and health-wise, there aren't many issues as he's played in 82 games for four out of his six NHL seasons.
It might cost an arm and a leg, but should Patrik Allvin and the Canucks management consider trading for Alex DeBrincat this summer to add another offensive weapon to their top-six? Let us know what you think in the poll below!
Garrioch believes DeBrincat 'has no inclination of signing' in Ottawa, could be moved at draft
WATCH: https://t.co/hKqV10LFB7 pic.twitter.com/ZmxUb8KGL9— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 14, 2023
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 15 | 764 ANSWERS LATEST | Major turnaround at the draft for the Ottawa Senators? Should Allvin go out and acquire Alex DeBrincat this summer? | ||
| Yes | 119 | 15.6 % |
| No | 246 | 32.2 % |
| Depends on the asking price | 375 | 49.1 % |
| See Results | 24 | 3.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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