EP Rinkside’s Cam Robinson discusses the various free agent period signings and trades which might impact one’s fantasy hockey team this upcoming season, including the Alex DeBrincat trade and the Wings’ signing of Shayne Gostisbehere:
DeBrincat to the Red Wings: The obvious domino fell on Sunday when the Ottawa Senators sent Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings in a trade-and-sign scenario. Dominik Kubalík moves from one top nine to the other. He should provide his 20-ish, 45-ish point level in Ottawa. But it’s the two-time 40-goal-scoring DeBrincat that should garner the attention in fantasy.
Now with Detroit, the expectation/hope is that we see a top line of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and DeBrincat. If Raymond can take the expected step forward after a sophomore slump, then DeBrincat should be in a prime spot to re-find his game after a step-back season that saw his shooting percentage fall over five points, and his even-strength production dip by nearly 20 percent.
Are we feeling frisky enough to say that 40 goals and 75 points are in the bag for the third time in his career?
No, we’re not. But we’re hoping to see it!
Drake Batherson – who saw a ton of even-strength and man-advantage time next to DeBrincat last season likely takes the worst of this deal. While someone like J.T. Compher or David Perron – who had their eyes on landing the fourth forward spot on the Wings’ top power-play unit, likely falls out. Compher as a net-front guy could have the edge to stay in now.
