The Ottawa Senators are considering trading forward Alex DeBrincat, who they obtained in a trade less than a year ago.
That’s what Sportsnet network hockey expert Elliotte Friedman said on Monday.
DeBrincat could become a restricted free agent on July 1. It seems that the skater wants to wait to find out who the new owners of the “Sens” will be before making a decision on his future with the organization.
In his first season in Ottawa, the 25-year-old American finished the year ranked fourth in the club in goals (27) and points (66). The Senators acquired him from the Chicago Blackhawks on July 7 for first- and second-round picks in 2022, as well as a third-round pick in 2024.
The “Hawks” had selected DeBrincat in the second round (39th overall) of the 2016 amateur auction. He had two campaigns of at least 40 goals in Chicago.
“If we see a lack of progress in the talks, we will act according to our good conscience. We’ll be near the salary cap, then if we decide to go to arbitration and he says he doesn’t want to play here anymore, we could trade him and look at what’s on the market,” the general manager said. of the Senators, Pierre Dorion, on the radio station TSN 1200 Ottawa last week.
In 2022-2023, DeBrincat concluded a three-year agreement which allowed him to receive $6.4 million annually. Comparable players in the National League include Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield, who just signed an eight-year contract worth $62.8 million.