Ottawa Senators Moving Closer to Trading Alex DeBrincat

The conversations about the Ottawa Senators have shifted from who the new owner will be to if Alex DeBrincat will stay or go. Here's the rumor roundup on him from the past week.

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The sale of the Ottawa Senators dominated NHL headlines in recent weeks. With an agreement in principle to sell the club to Toronto billionaire Michael Andlauer now in place, the focus returns to Alex DeBrincat's future with the franchise.

GM Pierre Dorion has been reportedly gauging DeBrincat's value in the trade market. The 25-year-old winger is an RFA with arbitration rights who's also a year away from UFA eligibility.

DeBrincat is completing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $6.4 million. However, he earned $9 million in actual salary this season, which is what it would've cost the Senators to qualify his rights.

On Thursday, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported the Senators elected to take the winger to arbitration. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement on a new contract, the arbitration award on a one-year deal would be 85 percent ($7.65 million) of the qualifying offer.

This move means DeBrincat can't sign his qualifying offer. It also prevents a rival club from signing him away with an offer sheet.

TSN's Chris Johnston said he believes the Senators' move also sets a window for trading DeBrincat by the arbitration period in late July to early August. However, he thinks they'll try to trade him much sooner than that, perhaps even before the upcoming NHL draft on June 28 and 29. Once he's traded, DeBrincat can negotiate a contract with his new team.

Garrioch indicated the winger's agent presented the Senators with a small list of preferred trade destinations despite his lack of no-trade protection. The Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars are believed to be on that list. Garrioch also suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues as possible destinations.

On the other hand, THN Ottawa's Steve Warne cited a source last Friday who said DeBrincat would like to stay if the term is right and that he likes coach D.J. Smith and the team.

With less than two weeks until the draft, DeBrincat's situation will be suspenseful for Sens fans everywhere.