NHL Rumour Report: Alex DeBrincat trade likely as Sens enter offseason


Alex DeBrincat's future in Ottawa appears in serious doubt as the NHL offseason begins in earnest for non-playoff teams.

- The Senators may be forced to move on from pending RFA winger Alex DeBrincat this summer. Rumours suggest it's likely a matter of when, not if.


- Immediately following the July 2022 blockbuster that made DeBrincat a Senator, chatter over whether the player had any interest in extending immediately began to swirl. The fact that Senators ownership - and by extension management - remains up in the air, has not helped matters.


- Reports indicate DeBrincat has no inclination of extending in Ottawa. No substantive extension discussions are believed to have taken place thus far. This will feel like deja vu for Senators fans, who know all too well the organization's inability to retain some of its best players over the years.


- The Sens now have the painful choice of tendering DeBrincat a one year qualifying offer of one year at $9 million and watching him walk out the door in 2024, or move on from the player at the draft or next year's trade deadline. The Sens could opt to use DeBrincat as an own-rental to help in a 2024 playoff push, or try to make a sign-and-trade deal this summer.


- Rumours suggest the Senators will likely cut their losses and pursue a trade this offseason, barring a sudden change of heart from DeBrincat. There will be no shortage of suitors for the 25 year old winger, who has established himself in the upper tier of wingers in the NHL. With a less than stellar UFA crop this summer, players like DeBrincat will be the center of attention in offseason rumour buzz.

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