Ottawa Senators beat reporter for The Hockey News and host of the Sens Nation Hockey podcast Steve Warne joined Hockey Night in New York to discuss the latest surrounding Alex DeBrincat following the news that the New York Islanders were actively pursuing the 25-year-old goal scorer.

On Saturday, news broke that the New York Islanders were among a few teams in trade talks with the Ottawa Senators for goal scorer Alex DeBrincat.

Islanders fans, I know what you are thinking, and rightfully so.

Although general manager Lou Lamoriello has done well for himself trading during the season, major off-season moves haven't come to fruition since he came to the Islanders in 2018.

So, there's reason to be skeptical.

The Islanders lack the assets other teams have, like the Anaheim Ducks, another team that has reportedly been interested in DeBrincat. New York also lacks the cap space needed to pull off a move of this caliber.

The one piece of information that kept circling on my end was that Islanders forward and former Senator Jean-Gabriel Pageau sounded like one of the pieces that would be going the other way in a deal with Ottawa. 

DeBrincat, a 25-year-old restricted free agent, is fresh off a 27-goal, 66-point season in his first season with Ottawa after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2022 NHL Draft.

There's no question that DeBrincat loves being in Ottawa and loves his teammates, but the situation is a rather complex one.

The problem for Ottawa is that DeBrincat isn't interested in signing a long-term extension, as his agent Jeff Jackson wants his client to get to free agency following the 2023-24 season. 

Because a long-term deal could not be worked out, the Senators filed for arbitration.

"The rules say that when it's a club-elected arbitration, players are guaranteed at least 85% of their previous salary in the first window of arbitration. So the Senators (or any team they might trade him to) could get as much as a 15% discount on the $9 million DeBrincat made last season" (H/t The Hockey News). 

What this would mean is that, yes, DeBrincat remains with the resurging Senators for at least one season. But regardless of how the hearing goes, DeBrincat would not be eligible to sign a long-term extension until January, per the CBA. 

That's a risk for teams like the Islanders, who would have to give up significant assets for a player that may only serve as a one-year rental, and Lamoriello is notorious for not going the rental route.  

It's unlikely that Ottawa and DeBrincat's camp ever get to the arbitration table for reasons explained. The sides will either agree on a long-term extension before the date, or DeBrincat will be on the move. 

What would the asking price be for a two-time 40-goal scorer? Is Pageau a player that Ottawa would want in return? Besides goal scoring, what more does DeBrincat bring to the table?

Senators beat reporter for The Hockey News and host of the Sens National Hockey podcast Steve Warne joined Hockey Night in New York to discuss the latest surrounding DeBrincat and why what's happening in Ottawa would be happening to whatever team acquired him. 

You can watch the full interview, which begins at 15:50. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYN7JIgdHnM[/embed]