What would the Capitals have to do to pull off a DeBrincat deal?
The Washington Capitals are still looking to add to the top-6, and general manager Brian MacLellan said that the team would continue to monitor the trade market and keep its eyes open for players who can do one thing: score more goals. As it turns out, there's a player on the block who fits that criteria, and it's Alex DeBrincat.
DeBrincat is a restricted free agent, and the Ottawa Senators are currently exploring options to trade him. He's been linked to the Detroit Red Wings and a couple of other teams, and some have wondered if Washington is a fit, with the team reportedly eyeing a "DeBrincat-type" player (Dylan Strome also made some noise by temporarily changing his Instagram profile picture to one of him and his former Erie Otters teammate, but it's a bit of a stretch to read into that).
After all, he checks a lot of the Capitals' boxes. He's a top-6 player, power-play specialist and pure scorer. He has two 40-goal seasons under his belt and three 30-plus goal seasons, and he also had 27 goals last season while showcasing his playmaking ability to boot.
It wouldn't be an easy deal to pull off, but just because it's not easy doesn't mean it's not possible. If the Capitals were to pursue him, though, there are quite a few steps the team would have to take.
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First things first, Washington would have to clear cap space. DeBrincat doesn't come cheap; his qualifying offer is a whopping $9 million, and given his ability and the fact that he's in his prime and still has upside at just 25 years old.
It's a steep price, but one that's worth it for quite a few teams. If the Capitals are on that list, they would have to make some trades and clear some space.
There are two prime candidates for that right now: Evgeny Kuznetsov ($7.8 million) and Anthony Mantha ($5.7 million AAV). However, Mantha's apparently not getting much interest, and both of their trade values aren't the highest due to Kuznetsov's underwhelming performance and run-ins with off-ice issues over the last few years, as well as Mantha's inconsistency and lack of production since arriving in Washington.
Still, the Capitals have reportedly informed teams that both are available and there have been conversations with clubs, but given their current values, they may have to retain salary, which would complicate things, or add a sweetener, which could take away a top up-and-coming prospect.
Would it be worth it? For a player like DeBrincat, who has shown what he can do and also has a good history and chemistry playing with Strome, it may be. However, that's a major gamble to take, especially if Kuznetsov and Mantha are able to thrive under a new coach and if that prospect turns out to become a top player.
Then again, there's no way to be certain of anything in the world of hockey, and in turn, that risk may be one the team can afford to take.
Washington could also wait and see how Nicklas Backstrom performs at training camp and whether or not he's healthy enough and good enough to play this season. If he's not, that would open significant space for D.C. However, DeBrincat may be off the market by then since Backstrom's earned the chance to show management what he can do.
There's also Max Pacioretty, who can do some damage when healthy and may be able to help the Capitals. However, that'd also be a wait-and-see option that could see the club miss out and be unable to find another name or player of his caliber on the market.
In the end, a move would be difficult, and given the circumstances, it doesn't seem likely right now. But anything can happen in the offseason, and if the team wants an immediate fix and wants to roll the dice, it's something to consider.