Senators Bring the Fire Adding Alex DeBrincat

Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion made it known multiple times that he wanted to add a top-six forward and a right-shot defenseman to the fold this offseason. Not only did the Senators’ GM land a top-six forward, Dorion acquired one of the league’s premier snipers in Alex DeBrincat prior to Thursday’s Entry Draft.

The Senators dealt their seventh overall selection, number 39, and a 2024 third-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the 24-year-old.

DeBrincat recorded 41 goals and 37 assists last season. It was the second time, the Michigan resident hit the 41-goal mark in his five NHL campaigns. The 2017 CHL Player of the Year is one of only four players to tally at least three 30-plus goal seasons since 2018-19. Oilers Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Maple Leafs Auston Matthews accomplished this on four occasions, DeBrincat three.

The trade was in the works for a while. Talks continued Wednesday after a chance meeting between Dorion who was dining with his family at Gibby’s and Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson.

A proud Dorion told the media during his Bell Centre availability, “Obviously, the ability to add someone who’s a consistent goal scorer. Someone whose age fits in with our core – someone who is a competitor – someone who has a track record. We’ve said since the end of the year, we’ve been looking for someone who can play in our top six. He’s playing in our top six.”

With all the Alex DeBrincat talk, here’s a a reminder of how casually good he is (don’t ask I was put against him) #BrinksyvsBinksy pic.twitter.com/K0sDMwmaF0

— Julie Stewart-Binks (@JSB_TV) July 7, 2022

DeBrincat possesses a cap hit of $6.4 million next season but will earn $9M in actual salary. His current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2022-23 season. The Senators control DeBrincat’s rights for at least two more years.

“Obviously, we would like to extend him at some point in time. Sometimes you have to make sure the fit is alright. He (DeBrincat) was pretty excited. He talked to both myself and (Senators head coach) D.J. (Smith) earlier. He was really excited. He knows we’ve got a really good group of young players. He’s played five years in the league. I think right now, there was a bit of shock for him. Once July 13 passes, we can start talking to his representatives (agent Jeff Jackson), and we’ll do that,” said Dorion.

A surprising aspect regarding the swap, the Senators were able to make the trade while holding onto their deep prospect pool.

Dorion explained, “I can tell you (Blackhawks GM) Kyle (Davidson) kept on pushing on multiple prospects. It was important we drafted those players, we started to develop them. I think it’s a credit to our scouting staff, it wasn’t one-two-three guys, there were multiple names thrown around. Our scouts are disappointed today, they don’t get a chance to make a selection. All of them were pretty happy we were able to make this trade.”

The Senators are heading in the right direction. Dorion quipped,  “If I can quote someone from our staff today that’s been here a few years, “It’s way more fun adding than deleting.”

“If you look at that perspective, for us, we’re transitioning. I said at the end of the season, we want to play meaningful games at the end of the year. I think that’s one step closer to doing that. Obviously, the rebuild has been going on. We feel we’re in the next phase now. For us, adding a player of this caliber, you have to pay a certain price. I think it was a fair deal. I can tell you Kyle Davidson was great to deal with. Kudos to him. They’re trying to do something we did a few years ago.”

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The GM also kept his leadership group apprised of his plans along the way. Brady Tkachuk was vacationing in Greece when told of the deal. While Thomas Chabot was at the Bell Centre to announce the club’s first pick.

The pair were overjoyed.

“I had a good chat with both of them. Thomas was going to announce our first pick. I got a thumbs up and a heart.”

Senators’ head coach D.J. Smith has viewed his newest player since his days coaching Oshawa in the OHL. Smith’s impressions – “An outstanding player – goal scorer, a guy that’s scored everywhere he’s ever been. Followed him through the OHL, coached against him, and watched him continue to do it in the NHL. He’s an electric player that’s really competitive. Does a lot more than score, he tracks, he works. He’s going to fit in really well with our young group. And it’s an exciting time for them all to be together.”

Smith and his staff are already in the planning stage of where DeBrincat will fit in his lineup.

“It’s so fresh, it’s hard to say today. You like to see him play with Timmy (Stützle) a little bit. For the amount of speed that he is, the way Timmy carries the puck through the middle of the ice. We’ll make that decision. He prefers playing left wing, and we’re going to put him in the best spot to succeed.”

One thing is for certain, the five-seven, 165-pound forward will be a go-to on the team’s power play.

Smith told Full Press Hockey, “I love our power play with those five guys that were out there last year. And this is a good problem to have. I don’t think you’ll ever hear anyone complain of having too many options or scorers. He scored 40 goals, and he’s done it twice.

With picks 7 and 39 dealt, Dorion will seek to acquire additional selections Friday. He’s also looking to add a defenseman.

“We still think we need to add pieces to be the team we desire to be. Whether it’ll be through free agency or trades, obviously it’s something we’ll look at. But also internally, we think we have some pieces in Belleville that can step in.”

“We’re always looking to improve the Ottawa Senators.”

Pierre Dorion did just that and then some Thursday.

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