It wouldn’t be Ottawa without a little off-season drama.
While the uncertainty around the Ownership process has dominated the headlines in the Nation’s Capital, a new storyline has emerged ahead of a crucial summer for the Senators.
The future of Alex DeBrincat.
The 25-year old winger is a restricted free agent (RFA) and although he is technically under team control for another season, it sounds like Pierre Dorion and the Ottawa Senators have at least started to explore the trade market for the two-time 40-goal scorer.
Sens fans were in a bit of a frenzy yesterday afternoon when respected hockey insider fearlessly broke the news that Pierre Dorion may have to consider trade options for DeBrincat this summer.
Here’s Elliott with the scoop…
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 sources, 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.
If cryptic non-committal language and unnamed sources aren’t really your thing, here’s the Sens GM saying the same thing a few days ago.
And really, what choice does he have?
Event though the Senators are more than willing to either extend DeBrincat long-term or bring him back on a one-year deal, it makes sense that they would also want to have a sense of what the trade market looks like heading into the off-season.
Ottawa certainly isn’t in a situation where they would be looking to subtract from an already loaded roster, if there is a deal out there that adds a piece or two that can help next season and beyond, they have to consider it. For example, a deal that brings in some combination of forward depth, help on the blueline or goaltending help would certainly be of interest to Dorion this summer.
With that said, the preference for the Senators was that DeBrincat sticks around long-term. That was the hope when they traded for him last summer and it’s safe to assume that it remains Plan A from the organization’s perspective. DeBrincat may want to use the leverage he has here, take that $9M qualifying offer and ultimately bet on himself this season but the Senators have to prepare for every situation.
You can certainly expect to hear more about Alex DeBrincat in the next few weeks leading up to the NHL Draft.
