OTTAWA — Alex DeBrincat and the Ottawa Senators have common goals, and each side hopes the other will be the key to achieving them.
The Senators acquired DeBrincat, 24, from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade Thursday just hours before the start of the NHL draft.
Senators general manager Pierre Dorion gave up three draft picks in the deal, including Ottawa’s first-round (#7) and second-round selections (#39) this year and a third-round pick in 2024.
DeBrincat admitted Friday that he was caught off guard when he first learned of the trade.
“I’ve seen some rumors and stuff, but until it actually happens, it won’t hit you,” he told reporters on a conference call. “So I was definitely shocked, but I’m really excited to join this group.”
The Senators, who finished the season 26th overall at 33-42-7, expected to take a step toward the playoff race and were disappointed to find themselves near the bottom of the standings again.
Before last season’s trade deadline, Dorion said, “It’s no secret for us to get to the next level, we need another top-six forward and top-four defenseman, but they don’t just grow on trees.”
In DeBrincat, who had 78 points in 82 games this season, they have a reliable top-six forward. The young wing joins an impressive group of forwards that includes Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, Tim Stutzel and Drake Batterson.
Selected by Chicago in the second round (39th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, DeBrincat quieted naysayers who questioned his size.
At 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds, DeBrincat had a career-high 78 points (41-37) last season. It was the second time he reached the 40-goal mark in his five-year NHL career.
A natural right-handed hitter, DeBrincat also offers the Senators versatility as he can play both wings. He has a year remaining on his contract, which carries a cap hit of US$6.4 million.
The Senators could begin negotiating a new deal as early as July 13, when free agency opens, but DeBrincat said he hasn’t given much thought to it yet.
The Farmington Hills, Mich., native said he’s preparing to be part of Chicago’s rebuilding and take on more of a leadership role. With 368 career games played, he will be one of the more experienced players on the Senators’ young roster.
“Obviously over the years in Chicago, my leadership grew as we got younger and younger,” he said. “I think that’s been a big step that I’ve taken in the last couple of years and hopefully I can bring that same attitude and leadership to Ottawa.”
Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot sent welcoming messages to DeBrincat, and he said he’s excited to get to know his new teammates better.
He will continue to wear No. 12 after forward Shane Pinto sent him a message on Friday offering to get the number.
DeBrincat’s older brother, Andrew, played in Ottawa during the 2012-13 season with the Nepean Raiders and Cumberland Grads of the Central Canada Hockey League.
Add Comment