The Red Wings acquired Alex DeBrincat from the Senators and signed him to a four-year contract. Check out the details in today’s NHL Morning Coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: The Detroit Red Wings acquired forward Alex DeBrinkat from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Dominic Kobalik and defense prospect Donovan Sebrango, a conditional first-round pick in 2024, and a fourth-round pick in 2024.
Ottawa Sun: The conditions for first-round selection are as follows:
The Red Wings have the option of fielding their 2024 first-round pick or their 2024 first-round pick that they got from the Boston Bruins. However, if Boston’s selection is a top 10 pick, the Bruins have the option to keep that pick and send the Wings for the first time in 2025. The Wings will then have the option to send that pick or send their first driver of their own in 2024 to Ottawa.
Bystander note: This sounds like a rip-off for the Red Wings and an underwhelming comeback for the Senators.
DeBrincat, 25, is a two-time 40-goal scorer who should help Detroit satisfy their need for more scoring. He is also a native of Michigan and wanted to play for the Red Wings.
It appears Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion wanted DeBrincat transferred ahead of an arbitration hearing later this summer. He didn’t want to become a roster player who didn’t want to be an unnecessary distraction for his club as they try to reach the playoffs in 2023-24.
However, if this return is the best Dorion can find, that doesn’t say much about the offers he’s received from other interested clubs.
Kobalik, 27, scored 20 goals and 45 points in 81 games last season. He’s a winger at quarterback in the six who might only be a Senators for one season given his unrestricted status as a free agent next July. The 21-year-old Sebrango ranks 14th among The Athletic’s Wings prospects Mid-season prospect ratings.
Bruce Gariuch of the Ottawa Sun reported that the first-round pick was crucial for the Senators. If Kubalik and/or Sebrango fail to become significant long-term additions to the Senators, the only saving grace may be a first-round pick.
Acquiring DeBrincat without any assurances of him signing a long-term contract was a risky move by Dorion that failed to materialize. Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman, on the other hand, didn’t make the same mistake…
The Red Wings also signed DeBrincat to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.875 million. He will also get 16 teams Non-trade clause Starting from 2024-2025.
Bystander note: DeBrincat was a restricted free agent. His camp reportedly sought an eight-year deal worth $8.8 million. He got half this season for a million dollars less but I suspect the winger is unhappy considering he wants to play with the wings.
Ansar Khan from MLive.com Believes Yzerman got DeBrincat on his terms and I agree with that assessment. As noted by Khan, the winger has signed a team-friendly contract without parting ways with any key players or prospects. If DeBrincat regains his high scoring form, it will be a huge win for the Wings.
In other news…
Governorate: Defender Ian Cole, recently signed by the Vancouver Canucks, withdrew his request to wear No. 28 after learning that number was last worn by the late Luke Bourdon, who died in a motorcycle accident in May 2008.
Cole wore number 28 for most of his career and was given permission by the Canucks to wear it. After an outcry from fans, the 34-year-old issued a statement indicating that he was unaware that Bourdon was the last player to wear the number.
To honor Bourdon’s memory, Cole will instead wear No. 82 with the Canucks.
Bystander note: This was an oversight by Canucks management that put Cole in a tough spot. They should have known the importance of Bourdon’s memory to the club’s fans and told Cole that the number 28 was not available.
TSN: Speaking of the Canucks, they signed restricted free agent Nils Hoglander to a two-year, $2.2 million deal.
Seating times: Kraken avoided salary arbitration with defenseman Cale Fleury by signing a two-year, $1.6 million contract.
Bystander note: Kraken also avoided arbitration with blueliner Will Borgen last week. That brings the original list of 22 NHL players who submitted last week to arbitration to 20.
daily face: Vladimir Tarasenko and Matt Dumba are among the notable names still available for more than a week in the NHL 2023 free agent period.