Sens Writer: DeBrincat hitting the trade market

Seattle would be a hell of a fit. Their powerplay is built around having a strong triggerman on the far side.

Report (Ken Warren) coming out today citing DeBrincat as making it known:

He would like to stay in Ottawa.

He loves the team.

He likes the coach.

But, this is one chance for big contract with long term.

Just hope they keep enough money for Sanderson and Chychrun

Report (Ken Warren) coming out today citing DeBrincat as making it known:

He would like to stay in Ottawa.

He loves the team.

He likes the coach.

But, this is one chance for big contract with long term.

Just hope they keep enough money for Sanderson and Chychrun
- spatso

We'll see about that... you don't go handing out a list of preferred trade destinations for no reason. I'll put money on him being moved.

Immediately eliminate any Canadian teams as trade partners, as he doesn't want to sign long term north of the border. That leaves 25 teams as potential trade partners.

Eliminate any teams with cap issues. So bye Pittsburgh, Wsh and Vegas. In fact, all the no tax teams are right up against the cap. So as much as those 4 are probably on his list, bye Tampa, Fla, Dallas and Nash. Unless Ottawa wants to take salary back.

Eliminate the heavy rebuild teams...doubt he wants to go there...so bye SJ, ANA, ARI, CBJ and PHI, as much as i think the Flyers and Yotes have players the Sens could use or want (Hart, Koneckny, and Hello one of Crouse or Keller). Now we are at 13 teams.

Bye LA, Col, NYR and NYI....they have a lot to resign, shrinking cap space and needs other than winger. And we are at 9.

Buffalo I think is going to use all its trade capital to trade for a goalie. Unless they overpay for Samsonov or Jarry as UFAs.

Detroit makes sense, but they won't give up a first or young player and Zadina isn't moving anyone's needle.

So the options dwindle.

At this point, I would be happy to get back a first round that is above 15 this year...

Gibson for The Cat … as the starting point …

Let’s make it happen…

Gibson for The Cat … as the starting point …

Let’s make it happen…
- dozerD10

I've been suggesting the same thing for a while. Not because of how much I like the idea, but because it makes perfect sense for both teams - which is rare among trade rumours.

I've been suggesting the same thing for a while. Not because of how much I like the idea, but because it makes perfect sense for both teams - which is rare among trade rumours.
- khawk

Gibson (20% retained) and Comtois for the Cat

Gibson (20% retained) and Comtois for the Cat
- optimus-reim

If Sens went for that, I’d be shocked… I’d do it in a second though…

Hell I’d even have a second or third in there…

Detroit really doesn't have much I'd want, or much of value they would give up. It would probably strictly be a sign and trade of DeBrincat for a first round (from Islanders) and a 2nd round pick (Vancouver or St. Louis). Helps Ottawa plug up its lack of draft picks going forward but does nothing for the present. We still need a goalie and some forwards and can't rely on free agency to plug up those things.

Anaheim makes sense if we can do a sign and trade with DeBrincat. We toss in Formenton's rights as well. In return we take Gibson (if he waives his trade clause ... I assume Ottawa is on his no fly list) .... Gibson has 4 more years at 6.4 million. We also get a 2nd and 3rd round pick in the 2023 draft (Anaheim has multiple picks in 2nd and 3rd rounds). Ottawa assumes all of Gibson's salary.

I'd then try to pry Lawson Crouse from Arizona for Eric Brannstrom, Matthieu Joseph, and maybe even Sokolov (I am not convinced that Sokolov can play on the top 2 lines and I don't think he has the game for a 3rd line).

Finally .... sign Nick Ritchie for 3rd or 4rth line and sign Milan Lucic for the 13th forward.

We would hope that 1 or 2 guys make the team .... Crookshank, Jarventie, Greig.

Giroux/Stutzle/Tkachuk
Batherson/Norris/? ........ O'Reilly/Barbashev/internal player
Crouse/Pinto/Greig
Ritchie/Kastelik/Kelly ..... Lucic as 13th forward

I might even take a swing at a free agent like O'Reilly .... 3 years at $7.5 and maybe look at Barbashev.

Defence
Chabot/Zub
Chychrun/Sanderson
Bernard-Docker/? ... Kleven, if ready or go get Mayfield/Gudas/Hamonic .. all big boys.

Goalie
Gibson
Sogaard

Think Columbus is looking better each day, and with Werenski coming back...

Not sure what the trade would be though. Maybe a protected first.

I don't understand the perceived value of Gibson. He's been objectively bad for 4 years, and is under contract for 4 more at 6.4M. That's longer than Matt Murray had been bad for, for more money than we paid Matt Murray, for more term. Even more worrisome? His poor play directly coincides with when he got his payday. Semin, Kovalev, Lucic, Clarkson, Yashin. Neal. Zaitsev! for crying out loud. It's not just hockey. Ryan Leaf, Jamarcus Russell, Adriano, Beckham to MLS, Arenas, Haynesworth. Cashing in and then giving up is a real thing that happens in pro sports, and Gibson sure looks like he could be a candidate.

Anaheim should have to *pay* teams to take that contract off their books. All this talk about Ottawa being cap crunched and *that* is the contract you're looking at adding? Bemoaning paying goalies so much, laughing at the Campbell contract, and THAT is the contract you're talking about adding?? Unless you're Ducks fans trying to stir something up, buyer beware guys. All the signs for the Sens point to stay away. Debrincat for Gibson is a joke, and it's not a funny joke either. Look what LA just paid to offload Petersen, and now increase his AAV and double his term. I wouldn't do it if you added McTavish. Pot needs to be much, much sweeter.

I don't understand the perceived value of Gibson. He's been mediocre for 4 years, and is under contract for 4 more at 6.4M. That's longer than Matt Murray had been bad for, for more money than we paid Matt Murray, for more term. Even more worrisome? His poor play directly coincides with when he got his payday. Semin, Kovalev, Lucic, Clarkson, Yashin. Neal. Zaitsev! for crying out loud. It's not just hockey. Ryan Leaf, Marcus Russell, Adriano, Beckham to MLS, Arenas, Haynesworth. Cashing in and then giving up is a real thing that happens in pro sports, and Gibson sure looks like he could be a candidate.

Anaheim should have to *pay* teams to take that contract off their books. All this talk about Ottawa being cap crunched and *that* is the contract you're looking at adding? Bemoaning paying goalies so much, laughing at the Campbell contract, and THAT is the contract you're talking about adding?? Unless you're Ducks fans trying to stir something up, buyer beware guys. All the signs for the Sens point to stay away. Debrincat for Gibson is a joke, and it's not a funny joke either. Look what LA just paid to offload Petersen, and now increase his AAV and term. I wouldn't do it if you added McTavish. Pot needs to be much, much sweeter.
- Bartacus

Good post.

Protecting cap space is sometimes the most important consideration.

I don't trust Dorion to trade for a goalie.

Maybe Sens should just add a journeymen goalie at this time and look to find a superior goaltender once the season advances. No more $6m+ goalies.

Good post.

Protecting cap space is sometimes the most important consideration.

I don't trust Dorion to trade for a goalie.

Maybe Sens should just add a journeymen goalie at this time and look to find a superior goaltender once the season advances. No more $6m+ goalies.
- spatso

Amen. Goalies are in many ways magic beans. In Gibson's case, we've seen that magic fizzle for four years. Take a safer, cheaper gamble.

Immediately eliminate any Canadian teams as trade partners, as he doesn't want to sign long term north of the border. That leaves 25 teams as potential trade partners.

Eliminate any teams with cap issues. So bye Pittsburgh, Wsh and Vegas. In fact, all the no tax teams are right up against the cap. So as much as those 4 are probably on his list, bye Tampa, Fla, Dallas and Nash. Unless Ottawa wants to take salary back.

Eliminate the heavy rebuild teams...doubt he wants to go there...so bye SJ, ANA, ARI, CBJ and PHI, as much as i think the Flyers and Yotes have players the Sens could use or want (Hart, Koneckny, and Hello one of Crouse or Keller). Now we are at 13 teams.

Bye LA, Col, NYR and NYI....they have a lot to resign, shrinking cap space and needs other than winger. And we are at 9.

Buffalo I think is going to use all its trade capital to trade for a goalie. Unless they overpay for Samsonov or Jarry as UFAs.

Detroit makes sense, but they won't give up a first or young player and Zadina isn't moving anyone's needle.

So the options dwindle.

At this point, I would be happy to get back a first round that is above 15 this year...
- GrimmdaGoalie

Yikes. I'm glad your not GM

I would want a top 10 pick or higher without question. This guy will score 35+ goals next year if healthy

Let's talk about Dorion. As far as I see, he is probably the GM of Ottawa at this point for the near to mid-term future .... or longer. If we want to improve, Dorion will be the man to make the goalie trade. Otherwise we tread water for another year. Just as an aside, most GM's seem to struggle with that goalie position ... in getting consistency. There are probably only a handful of GM's in the league who are completely satisfied and truly confident with their goalies. And those goalies are not moving or being moved.
So why Gibson? Maybe, just maybe, with a credible defence in front of him (unlike the past 4 years in Anaheim) his numbers improve.
I think the idea of chasing some UFA or a goalie like Ullmark/Adin Hill is equally risky. They both hit one year flash in the pan numbers, and now everyone is chasing them (although I think Hill re-signs with Vegas ..... Lehner gets put on LTIR). Every goalie comes with risks. Maybe they are on a hot streak. Whatever. The point being is that we are not the GMs. We hope the scouts do their jobs and see something that can translate to our team. Its still hit and miss. But we don't need a star goalie, just a credible one that can stop the puck when needed.
Let's face facts. Getting into the playoffs and going far in the playoffs involve some elements of luck (and you can create your own luck). Did anyone predict that Ullmark or Hill would be this good?
For Ottawa, I just don't see Forsberg being ready to start the season or be the same type of goalie ... 2 knee operations can do that. Sogaard isn't ready for #1. Merilainen isn't ready for the NHL. I don't want a stop gap goalie and hope that these 2 can develop. This Senators team is ready for a bonafide #1. Hellebuyck is not coming to Ottawa in a trade (he will not re-sign here). Varlamov is not coming to Ottawa. Boston is not trading Ullmark or Swayman to Ottawa. In my books that leaves credible past #1's like Carter Hart and Gibson. Carter Hart has that Team Canada thing hanging over his head. Older retreads like Reimer/Raanta are not the answer. Freddy Anderson will probably re-sign with Carolina.
One dark horse goalie .... Markstrom from Calgary. If Calgary is trying to reboot a bit and needs to dump salary they could trade Markstrom (3 years, $6 million left). Calgary is right up against the cap. They would still have Vladar, and would only do the trade if they felt that Dustin Wolf (22 years old) was ready to make the jump to the NHL. Wolf is their goalie of the future. If Calgary traded Vladar instead, and kept Markstrom, they are still in cap hell. Trade with Ottawa could cost us Tompson, Forsberg, Sokolov, ... or some combo of entry level players to fit under Calgary's cap.

Let's talk about Dorion. As far as I see, he is probably the GM of Ottawa at this point for the near to mid-term future .... or longer. If we want to improve, Dorion will be the man to make the goalie trade. Otherwise we tread water for another year. Just as an aside, most GM's seem to struggle with that goalie position ... in getting consistency. There are probably only a handful of GM's in the league who are completely satisfied and truly confident with their goalies. And those goalies are not moving or being moved.
So why Gibson? Maybe, just maybe, with a credible defence in front of him (unlike the past 4 years in Anaheim) his numbers improve.
I think the idea of chasing some UFA or a goalie like Ullmark/Adin Hill is equally risky. They both hit one year flash in the pan numbers, and now everyone is chasing them (although I think Hill re-signs with Vegas ..... Lehner gets put on LTIR). Every goalie comes with risks. Maybe they are on a hot streak. Whatever. The point being is that we are not the GMs. We hope the scouts do their jobs and see something that can translate to our team. Its still hit and miss. But we don't need a star goalie, just a credible one that can stop the puck when needed.
Let's face facts. Getting into the playoffs and going far in the playoffs involve some elements of luck (and you can create your own luck). Did anyone predict that Ullmark or Hill would be this good?
For Ottawa, I just don't see Forsberg being ready to start the season or be the same type of goalie ... 2 knee operations can do that. Sogaard isn't ready for #1. Merilainen isn't ready for the NHL. I don't want a stop gap goalie and hope that these 2 can develop. This Senators team is ready for a bonafide #1. Hellebuyck is not coming to Ottawa in a trade (he will not re-sign here). Varlamov is not coming to Ottawa. Boston is not trading Ullmark or Swayman to Ottawa. In my books that leaves credible past #1's like Carter Hart and Gibson. Carter Hart has that Team Canada thing hanging over his head. Older retreads like Reimer/Raanta are not the answer. Freddy Anderson will probably re-sign with Carolina.
One dark horse goalie .... Markstrom from Calgary. If Calgary is trying to reboot a bit and needs to dump salary they could trade Markstrom (3 years, $6 million left). Calgary is right up against the cap. They would still have Vladar, and would only do the trade if they felt that Dustin Wolf (22 years old) was ready to make the jump to the NHL. Wolf is their goalie of the future. If Calgary traded Vladar instead, and kept Markstrom, they are still in cap hell. Trade with Ottawa could cost us Tompson, Forsberg, Sokolov, ... or some combo of entry level players to fit under Calgary's cap.
- OttawaB

I would rather bring in a journeyman stop gap goalie than give up assets to get any of the tire fires that are Hart, Gibson, or Markstrom. That would be a step back and screw up the cap.

Anaheim doesn’t have much in the system to replace Gib. Half decent prospect a few years out.

Lol, I’m half joking, but I’d have no problem with a three team deal where Hart and Cat end up in Anaheim, and Gib and Konecny end up in Ottawa, as long as Philly receives a fair amount of picks to facilitate the deal. Or MacTavish! Hell, wouldn’t mind having MacTavish and a pick since Anaheim will be preparing for Fantilli and Zegras to be their top 2.

Yeah. I think I’d be just fine with that pipe dream.

Debrincat for Ovechkin


I know, will never happen, but I can dream.

I am not sure I believe all of the noise around DeBrincat. If the Sens were to sign DeBrincat at $8m, Pinto $5.0m, Gauthier 1.2m and one other forward $1.0m. If they go with Forsburg and Sogaard in net. And, if they give Brannstrom $1.5m plus add JBD at $850K and Kleven at $925k...It puts them at $81,566,547. Not a lot of cap space.

It appears like they are about $2m under the cap.

Not a lot of cap space if they are looking to add a goalie.

But, they also have to cover more than $3.0m in dead cap including one more year for the buy out for Bobby Ryan at $1.8m.

They can manage around the issues and cap will go up another $10 m. as soon as next year. Plus Giroux comes off the books (2 yrs.). But the numbers impose some limitations and Sanderson needs to be signed next summer and Chychrun the summer after.

Senators trade Alex DeBrincat to the Red Wings for Filip Zadina and the 17th pick in 2023
By Eric Duhatschek (Athletic)
Jun 9, 2023

Senators trade Alex DeBrincat to the Red Wings for Filip Zadina and the 17th pick in 2023
By Eric Duhatschek (Athletic)
Jun 9, 2023
- HenryHockey

They will get better offers. They will not trade DeBrincat within the Division. In the end, I think the Sens will cave and pay him the money and term he wants.

Nobody really knows what is the right way to go on this.

Senators trade Alex DeBrincat to the Red Wings for Filip Zadina and the 17th pick in 2023
By Eric Duhatschek (Athletic)
Jun 9, 2023
- HenryHockey

ok bud

My whole premise for the goalie trade is that I don't believe Forsberg will be ready to start the season and he will not approach his previous levels as a goalie after having both knees operated on. A stop-gap goalie is not enough for a team with playoff ambitions.

They will get better offers. They will not trade DeBrincat within the Division. In the end, I think the Sens will cave and pay him the money and term he wants.

Nobody really knows what is the right way to go on this.
- spatso

Hope you are right. I don't want Debrincat in Detroit. He's not worth the assets to trade for or the salary he will want for what he brings. For the same amount of money he will want, you can pay 2 or 3 20 goal scorers that will bring more to the team than what he does and have much better balanced scoring.