Even though the initial frenzy of NHL free agency has ended. It doesn’t mean it’s the end of big impact moves. We were reminded of this Sunday night as the Detriot Red Wings acquired Alex DeBrincat from the Ottawa Senators. Upon arriving in Detriot DeBrincat received a 4-year extension, with an average annual value of 7.8 million. Here is the full trade.
Now this is a major trade, that is going to have a major impact on both the Red Wings and Senators.
Impact on the Ottawa Senators
It was no secret that the Senators were shopping DeBrincat. DeBrincat had made it very clear that he didn’t want to be in Ottawa long-term. When his contract was up next summer he was gone. So basically the Senators were forced to move him. Better to get something for him, than letting him walk for nothing.
However, despite this, they got a pretty decent return for DeBrincat. First off the centerpiece of this deal is Dominik Kubalik. Kubalik is a solid middle-six forward. Last year he scored 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points. Not a game-changing player by any means, but a decent player to have in your lineup. Donovan Sebrango is an intriguing young defense who we can see in the NHL as soon as next season. He’s a very skilled defenseman who is a good decision-maker, and a very good passer. He’s a little undersized, but that doesn’t affect his ceiling of a top 6 defenseman. And of course, two draft picks are always good to have, especially when one of them is in the first round.
However, this trade makes it much easier for the Senators to go after Vladimir Tarasenko. As I mention in my Tarasenko post, the Senators were considered a favorite to land Tarasenko. However, the DeBrincat situation was preventing them from going after them. Now that DeBrincat is gone, the Senators have a spot opened in their top 6. Tarasenko can be the perfect replacement for DeBrincat, and slide nicely into that role.
Impact on the Detriot Red Wings
Ever since Steve Yzerman left Tampa Bay, and took over as the general manager of the Red Wings. Detroit has been marred in a long rebuild. The days of the 25-year playoff streak are a distant memory at this point. Now even though a rebuild was needed, nobody thought it was going to take this long. It’s been five years now and Red Wings were beginning to grow impatience.
That was of course up until Yzerman went out and acquired DeBrincat. This is a major impact on the Red Wings forward core. Last year he scored 27 goals and 39 assists giving him 66 points. Many considered this to be a bit of a down year for DeBrincat, considering he was coming off a 78-point season in the 2021-22 season. However, DeBrincat is only 25 years old and many are expecting him to have a monster season next year. DeBrincat also has extra motivation being able to play for his favorite team growing up. Something every sports fan dreamed of.
DeBrincat is immediately going to join the Red Wings’ first line. Joining Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. Now even though DeBrincat was already expected to have a bounce-back season. Pairing him with a player of Larkin caliber almost guarantees a bounce back. Now this move combined with the smaller depth move Yzerman made during the early stages of free agency, makes this Detriot roster a lot better. Are they ready to make a cup run? No. But they won’t be a bottom-ten team in the NHL. They are going to be a competitive team, who could surprise a lot of people and might be able to sneak into the playoffs.
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