Alex DeBrincat Trade Grades
Alex DeBrincat is returning home after much speculation. The Red Wings agreed to a deal with the division-rival Senators to acquire the former two-time 40-goalscorer. Furthermore, David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period confirmed Steve Yzerman is giving him an extension over four years worth $31.5 million.
DeBrincat has agreed to an extension with Detroit. Hearing 4-years, $7.875M AAV range.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 9, 2023
As @FriedgeHNIC had first, he's been traded to Detroit. Trade details coming soon.
It is worth noting that former top-five pick Filip Zadina‘s contract was terminated to help facilitate this. Does this mean it’s playoffs or bust for the Wings? A big swing like this might be the last chance for the Yzerplan if things don’t pan out. The return to Ottawa was also confirmed by the Red Wings.
UPDATE: The #RedWings today acquired forward Alex DeBrincat from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Dominik Kubalik, Donovan Sebrango, a conditional 1st round pick and a 4th round pick in 2024. pic.twitter.com/OSFiSrWRD9
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 10, 2023
With that being said, who won and lost the trade? Let’s see how Detroit and Ottawa graded out.
Detroit Red Wings: B+
This is just a weird deal to me. Yes, the Wings very much need DeBrincat. He’s gonna add some very important firepower to that top line and powerplay. Him and Dylan Larkin playing together has the chance to be dynamite.
However, I personally would have much rather have seen a two-year deal agreed instead of four. Detroit might be on the hook for a seven or eight-year deal for big money when he’s 29 instead of 27. Of course, I could be wrong, but things could have just aged better on the long run.
We’ve seen Yzerman hand out some silly contracts in free agency, but adding a weapon like DeBrincat can make everyone’s jobs easier.
The next question is who completes that top line? You don’t love giving up a conditional first to your division rival, but it’s a gamble worth taking for both player and team considering the contract is done.
Credit to the Wings for having the option of sending either their own or the Bruins’ first-rounder next year, according to PuckPedia. Some may argue there’s a lot riding on this move, but we won’t truly know until October.
Ottawa Senators: B-
Dominik Kubalik is confusing. He’s only 27 and will give the Sens a solid guy for the middle-six with scoring and physicality. However, the numbers he puts up may not be indicative of the player he is. Check out JFresh:
Dominik Kubalik, acquired by OTT, is a middle-six scoring winger who takes a lot of one-timers. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/n8qQqzSSxf
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 10, 2023
Sebrango is a former third-round pick and, funny enough, was born and raised in Ottawa. He played in the AHL last year and is only 21. He screams out call-up during the season if someone on the blueline gets injured.
If I was a Sens fan I would just be happy that Tim Stützle is on my team. He was always gonna be the guy that brings them back to the playoffs instead of DeBrincat. As long as Josh Norris is 100 percent healthy they’ll probably be fine.
I personally don’t see this as a loss for Ottawa, but definitely not a win. They’d have to hand out a big AAV and potentially damage their cap situation moving forward. Instead, they get pieces that will help them both now and down the road. Just not the best asset management considering the premium they paid on draft night last year.
The Senators cut ties on the Alex DeBrincat experiment and got some assets back. Detroit, meanwhile, acquired a hometown stud who could finally help them return to the playoffs.
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