Which NHL teams might be interested in a trade for Alex DeBrincat?
Alex DeBrincat is one of the NHL's top snipers and he could have plenty of suitors this offseason.
If the Ottawa Senators are shopping Alex DeBrincat, there should be plenty of suitors.
Since the 25-year-old came into the NHL in 2017-18, only 13 players have scored more goals than the winger, and just four have played more games.
While DeBrincat is no defensive specialist, a guy who laces up his skates for nearly every game and fills the net with regularity is always in demand.
The diminutive sniper is a player almost any team could use, but there are a few that make significantly more sense than others.
Any club that ponies up for DeBrincat is likely to meet the following criteria:
Long-term cap flexibility to give DeBrincat a lucrative extension. (There's no sense in paying a premium to trade for him as a rental)
A need for an offensive boost, particularly on the wing. (This could apply to most teams, but the highest bidder is likely to have an acute need)
Room for DeBrincat on the power play — and the need some help there. (The winger's got 45.5% of his points with the man advantage last season).
A top-two centre who is a solid setup man. (DeBrincat has more goals than assists in his career and he's at his most effective as a trigger man. A playmaking winger in the Jonathan Huberdeau mold could also fit this category).
With that in mind, here are some teams that make sense as landing spots for DeBrincat:
Carolina Hurricanes
Long-term cap situation: $61.555 million in projected cap space in 2024-25 with five players under contract.
Goal-scoring in 2022-23: 3.20/game — 15th in the NHL.
Power-play efficiency in 2022-23: 19.8% — t-19th in the NHL
Setup man: Martin Nečas or Sebastian Aho
How it works: The Hurricanes' won't have as much cap room heading into 2024-25, as the number above suggests they extend players like Sebastian Aho and Brady Skjei, and Brett Pesce, but they should still have plenty of room for a DeBrincat.
The team also has seven picks in the first two rounds over the next three years to help facilitate a major deal like this. Ottawa might be interested in more near-term help, but the Hurricanes has some interesting young players and no one with a full no-movement clause on their books.
While there's no doubt Carolina could use the kind of instant offence DeBrincat can provide, it's worth wondering if the team would find a pure scorer of his ilk difficult to fit into their defensively responsible system.
DeBrincat doesn't scream 'Rod Brind'Amour guy' but he might be just the type the tough coach's team needs.
Calgary Flames
Long-term cap situation: $39.375 million in projected cap space in 2024-25 with nine players under contract.
Goal-scoring in 2022-23: 3.15/game — 19th in the NHL
Power-play efficiency in 2022-23: 19.8% — t-19th in the NHL
Setup man: Elias Lindholm or Jonathan Huberdeau
How it works: Calgary might be reluctant to dive in on another blockbuster trade after the early returns on the Matthew Tkachuk deal haven't been great.
That said, Calgary needs the kind of juice DeBrincat could provide. The 25-year-old would be a significant upgrade on the Lindholm line and provide a power-play trigger man for a club that struggled with the man advantage.
Calgary was among the NHL's best possession teams last season with a shot-attempt percentage of 57.4% at 5-on-5. What the Flames lacked is finishers, and DeBrincat fits the bill.
With Lindholm and Noah Hanafin needing extensions beyond 2023-24, Calgary's cap room is likely to shrink this offseason — but making room for DeBrincat would still be feasible for the Flames.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Long-term cap situation: $37.533 million in projected cap space in 2024-25 with nine players under contract.
Goal-scoring in 2022-23: 3.18/game — 16th in the NHL
Power-play efficiency in 2022-23: 21.7% — 14th in the NHL
Setup man: Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby
How it works: The Penguins have two legendary centres and DeBrincat would bring some sizzle to one of their flanks. A front office headed by Kyle Dubas seems likely to bet on skill and offensive ability — and won't be scared off by DeBrincat's 178-pound frame.
A team with Pittsburgh's top-end talent shouldn't be in the middle of the pack in goal scoring or power-play percentage, and DeBrincat can help on both counts.
The Penguins' cap situation looks healthy in the years to come as their aging stars aren't particularly costly. One impediment to a trade is the number of guys Pittsburgh has with no-move clauses, which means Ottawa would need some appealing futures to swing a deal.
Minnesota Wild
Long-term cap situation: $29.334 million in projected cap space in 2024-25 with nine players under contract.
Goal-scoring in 2022-23: 2.91/game — 23rd in the NHL
Power-play efficiency in 2022-23: 21.5% — 15th in the NHL
Setup man: Mats Zuccarello or Kirill Kaprizov
How it works: No playoff team scored less than the Wild during the regular season.
Minnesota is desperate for some postseason success after making the playoffs in all but one season since 2015-16, but failing to win a round. This squad seems ripe for a shakeup and DeBrincat is the kind of talent who could help bring that about.
The Wild lack the kind of setup men the other teams on this list possess, but they aren't short on funds or need. Minnesota also has seven draft picks in the first two rounds from 2023 to 2025.
In terms of maximizing DeBrincat's potential, this might not be the best landing spot, but there's no doubt he could help Minnesota's stale offence.
