Blackhawks trade Alex DeBrincat to Senators for draft picks

The Ottawa Senators have acquired Alex DeBrincat, one of the top younger scores in the NHL today, in a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.

In exchange, the Senators are sending three draft picks to the Blackhawks, including the seventh-overall selection in Thursday's NHL Draft. The Blackhawks will also acquire pick No. 39 in the 2022 draft and a third-round pick in 2024. 

Welcome to the Nation's Capital, Alex!#Sens acquire forward Alex DeBrincat from @NHLBlackhawks in exchange for three draft picks: https://t.co/tUT4yjGaj4 pic.twitter.com/oeJrFNHeis

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) July 7, 2022

“Alex's acquisition brings immediate and additional firepower to our forward group,” said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion in a statement. “He's a dynamic forward who's a scoring threat when in the offensive zone. He maintains great vision, has exceptional skill and a quality shot which helps him score from virtually any part of the ice. He's a consistent performer and an underrated playmaker who Senators' fans are certain to enjoy watching play in Ottawa.”

DeBrincat, 24, already has two 41-goal seasons on his résumé in just five seasons, including last season when he also set a career-high with 78 points. Listed at just five-foot-seven, he initially fell to the second-round in the 2016 draft despite putting up piles of points in the OHL and he has continued to be a scoring threat in the NHL. He has one more season remaining on his contract with a $6.4-million cap hit and will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2023.

The move is the first significant transaction made by Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson as the club enters a full rebuild. With this trade, the Blackhawks now have a pick in the first-round of the 2022 NHL Draft after their own pick (No. 6) was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a deal for Seth Jones.

The Blackhawks are reportedly gauging trade interest on a number of key players, including Kirby Dach and Patrick Kane.

“We thank Alex for his tireless dedication to the Blackhawks organization over the last five seasons and wish him the best in Ottawa,” said Davidson in a statement. “It was an incredibly difficult decision to trade a player of Alex's calibre. We feel as if this move sets the Blackhawks up for future success by giving us additional flexibility and future talent. Securing this early of a first-round pick for tonight and an additional second-round selection tomorrow allows us to fortify our prospect base with high-end players who we expect to be a difference makers in the coming years.

“Although we didn't have a first pick in the draft until today, our scouting staff has been anticipating this scenario. I have been clear in my desire to move into the first round, and we are excited to move up and make a pick this evening.”