Could the Ottawa Senators Trade Alex DeBrincat This Summer?

Ottawa Senators winger Alex DeBrincat is an RFA this summer. There's been speculation if the team would trade him at the draft if there's no extension in place.

The Ottawa Senators made headlines during the first round of the 2022 NHL draft by acquiring Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks. They could do so again at this year's draft in Nashville by trading the 25-year-old left winger.

CapFriendly indicates DeBrincat is an RFA this summer who's also a year away from UFA eligibility. On April 10, Senators GM Pierre Dorion indicated his club will qualify the winger's rights even if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on a long-term extension.

Four days later, however, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported DeBrincat seemed non-committal about signing a contract extension. He noted there were no substantial discussions between the two camps. Garrioch told TSN there's a possibility DeBrincat could be moved at this year's draft.

DeBrincat told the Ottawa media that he was “definitely open for anything,” leaving the door open for a new contract with the Senators. Dorion told reporters on Monday that DeBrincat will be back for at least next year. However, that's something Dorion must sort out soon.

By qualifying DeBrincat for 2023-24, Dorion would buy more time to hammer out an extension. However, it would be an unwelcome distraction as the Senators push to make the playoffs next season. There's also the risk of talks falling through, followed by his departure next summer as a free agent.

Dorion could salvage the situation by peddling DeBrincat leading up to this year's draft. With many of this summer's top UFAs now past their prime, a young scorer like the Senators winger would draw considerable interest in the trade market.

The asking price would likely be a player of equivalent talent who can help the Senators immediately. They're already loaded with promising players in their lineup and their prospect pipeline.