Here's the latest speculation and rumor roundup about the Ottawa Senators and forward Alex DeBrincat, who's an RFA this off-season.

Speculation over Alex DeBrincat's future in Ottawa began following his end-of-season media availability when he appeared non-committal about signing a contract extension with the Senators. Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming the club is gauging the trade market for the 25-year-old left winger.

CapFriendly shows DeBrincat is an RFA on July 1 with arbitration rights who's also a year away from UFA eligibility. He's coming off a three-year deal with an average annual value of $6.4 million but earned $9 million in actual salary in 2022-23. That's how much it would cost the Senators to qualify his rights unless they can agree to a new contract prior to July 1.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Monday that the Senators were conducting what one source called “due diligence” by exploring the trade market for DeBrincat. He indicated multiple sources say the winger wants to wait for the sale of the Senators to be completed before thinking of a contract extension.

The Senators' sale could take some time to complete. With July 1 fast approaching, management needs an answer on DeBrincat's situation soon.

The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch noted that Senators GM Pierre Dorion has said he'd send DeBrincat a qualifying offer. If the winger declines to accept, Garrioch speculated that Dorion could take him to arbitration and ask for as much as a 15-percent reduction of that offer.

The Senators acquired DeBrincat prior to the first round of the 2022 NHL draft. If he's not committed to staying in Ottawa, he could be moved leading up to this year's draft (June 28 and 29) in Nashville if a suitable trade offer can be found.