The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch offers an Ottawa Senators-side update as to what’s going on with Alex DeBrincat–or what’s not going on, in this case:
General manager Pierre Dorion has cautioned everybody that he’s not about to give the 25-year-old winger away just because DeBrincat has refused to sign a long-term extension with the Senators. Throughout this process, Dorion has been open to making a trade involving a first-round pick in 2024, but he spent a lot of time during the draft trying to move DeBrincat just the same.
While DeBrincat and Toronto-based agent Jeff Jackson would prefer the Senators move on as soon as possible, Dorion wants to make sure he gets the right return and is in no hurry to make a deal.
The Senators have filed for reverse arbitration with DeBrincat to try to get a 15-per-cent reduction in his $9-million salary for next season. That will likely create a pressure point for DeBrincat and Jackson if they don’t want him playing at $7.65 million.
DeBrincat had 27 goals and was minus-31 in his first season with the Senators, which won’t bode well for him in front of an independent arbitrator. The best bet is for a deal to happen before the Senators can take the case to arbitration in late July or early August.
Sources say the Senators would like to get back someone who can offer immediate help as part of the return for DeBrincat. In addition to the 27 goals scored last season, he played significant minutes on the power play.
The Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings all have varying degrees of interest. The New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues are also looking for scoring.
It’s believed DeBrincat wants to go to Detroit, but the Senators haven’t been able to find common ground with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman.
