The Nashville Predators are in a position to make some interesting offseason moves. Should they take a look at Alex DeBrincat?
The Nashville Predators are in a position to make some interesting offseason moves. Should they take a look at Alex DeBrincat?
On July 1, Barry Trotz officially takes over as GM of the Nashville Predators. He has been very involved in the moves the Predators made at the trade deadline and will make at the upcoming NHL draft later this month. The Predators are looking to "reset" after a trade deadline sell off, and while there were intriguing performances by some of the up and coming youth there are plenty of options for Trotz as he reimagines this team. One option could be Alex DeBrincat.
According to Pierre LeBrun, DeBrincat's agent submitted a list of preferred destinations to the Ottawa Senators on behalf of his client. It isn't known exactly which teams were listed, but in a piece for The Athletic LeBrun speculated that Nashville could be a team that made DeBrincat's short list.
The "Cat" Facts
DeBrincat is an RFA with a qualifying offer of $9 million dollars, and he is looking for a deal with term. The 25 year old has played 450 career games in five seasons with the Blackhawks and one in Ottawa. In 2022-2023, he recorded 27 goals and 66 points with the Sens, fourth best on their roster in both goals and points. The Michigan native has had two forty plus goal seasons and will bring whatever team he may land with a significant offensive punch.
What He Could Bring to Nashville
DeBrincat in Nashville is a very different situation than it may have been just weeks ago. With new head coach Andrew Brunette, DeBrincat becomes perhaps a more intriguing player for the Predators. DeBricat could be a good fit for a new style of hockey under Brunette.
"We have so many creative offensive players," Brunette said during his introductory press conference last week. "I think the game is going that way."
DeBrincat is a finisher with offensive numbers that would interest most teams looking to increase goal production. His contributions on the power play make him even more appealing to the Predators. Last season, Nashville finished 27th in the league with a struggling power play. Ottawa ranked 8th in the 2022-23 regular season and DeBrincat led the team in power play points.
What He'd Need to Be Successful Here
Give Alex DeBrincat a center who can find him through traffic, and he can do the rest. Creative playmaking and amazing puck handling may not be his calling card, but DeBrincat has an uncanny knack for sneaking into the soft spots of a defense. Nashville may have just the thing in Cody Glass. Glass finished a strong season in Nashville with 21 assists and his confidence and game continue to grow. Throw Roman Josi out on the ice at the same time, and DeBrincat could have two top set up guys.
Ryan Johansen or Tommy Novak could also be potential line mates for DeBrincat with their playmaking abilities, but Glass offers a defensive boost necessary when DeBrincat is on the ice. Only Drake Batherson finished the season with a worse plus/minus than DeBrincat for the Senators last season. What you get offensively may cost Nashville defensively without a good two way center on the ice with him.
What Ottawa May Want In Return
There are probably two areas the Senators most want to address - finding a valuable defenseman and (dramatic pause) a reliable goaltender. Nashville is still buzzing from the mere mention of a Juuse Saros trade conversation, but it would take a lot more than Alex DeBrincat to tempt Trotz to pull the trigger here. The Senators traded away their first, second, and third round picks in the 2023 draft, but have first round picks through 2026. A first round pick and DeBrincat could be the tip of the trade iceberg to move Saros.
What about Yaroslav Askarov? Would Ottawa be interested in Nashville's up and coming net minder? Probably not because the Senators believe they are too close to a "win now" situation. Although the core of Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, Cluade Giroux, and Drake Batherson are locked in for several more seasons, waiting for Askarov may be too long a project for their window.
As far as reliable defensemen, Ottawa might not find exactly what they are looking for in the Predators organization. True, Alexandre Carrier or Dante Fabbro could be solid pieces to interest the Senators in a trade, but Nashville would have to weigh if they have the defensive depth to lose either. The Preds will likely want to hold onto Tyson Barrie this season, and Jeremy Lauzon may not be enough to bolster the defense in Ottawa.
What Are the Odds It Could Happen?
DeBrincat wants a long term deal and right now the Preds have the cap space to make that happen. But would they? Barry Trotz isn't terribly impressed with the free agent market this offseason, so a move like this is what he'll be looking for.
DeBrincat could be a nice offensive fit for the Predators. Adding a potential 30-40 goal scorer to the roster would be huge for a Nashville team that struggled for offense last season, but is the team better off investing that ice time in a young prospect?
Trotz is very fortunate. He is taking over the reins with plenty of cap space, promising prospects in the pipeline, a nice pile of draft picks, and different expectations for the team looking ahead to the next few seasons. Trotz can afford to be very picky and wait for an audacious offer. If a deal knocks his socks off, he has the luxury of getting it done, but there is no pressure to land a player like Alex DeBrincat to win now.
Related Reading:
Would the Nashville Predators Really Trade Juuse Saros?