Per multiple reports, the New York Islanders are active in acquiring 25-year-old forward Alex DeBrincat from the Ottawa Senators.

The Ottawa Senators and Alex DeBrincat will be parting ways sooner than later. 

Per multiple reports, the New York Islanders are active in acquiring the 25-year-old scorer. 

DeBrincat, who potted 27 goals and 39 assists in his first season with Ottawa, is a restricted free agent in need of a contract extension. His last deal, a three-year deal signed with Chicago, carried an annual cap hit of $6.4 million.

His extension could come anywhere between $8-9 million annually on a long-term deal. 

The Islanders, so it seems, would send at least Jean-Gabriel Pageau back to his original team in this scenario. A combination of a pick or another prospect would have to be included.

There would also need to be an extension in place. 

Pageau, 30, is coming off his best offensive season since 2019-20, scoring 13 times and a career-high 27 assists for 40 points while winning a career-high 57.2 percent of his draws.

The 30-year-old is an exceptional penalty killer and is a defensive-minded center who is usually tasked with the best of the best the opponent has to offer.

If Pageau is on the move, Casey Cizikas can be elevated to the third-line center role, Pierre Engvall can be retained as a center, or the Islanders can look toward the open market to sign a cheap option. 

If this trade happens, the Islanders could have a top line of DeBrincat-Horvat-Barzal, which would clearly be the organization's most skilled top line since....since?