Detroit Red Wings: Revisiting the Alex DeBrincat Trade

The Detroit Red Wings made one of the biggest moves last off-season. They acquired a hot commodity in winger Alex DeBrincat, who was previously with the Ottawa Senators. He was having a disappointing season and Ottawa was willing to move him for a package that would keep them competitive. Over the past year, both teams have had ups and downs with the pieces involved but who got the better end of the deal?

Red Wings happy with Debrincat's production

While DeBrincat headed to Detroit, the Senators received forward Dominik Kubalik, defenseman Donovan Sebrango, a first-round pick in 2024 (#25), and a fourth-round pick in 2024. DeBrincat was the more successful of the three players traded, scoring 27 goals and 40 assists for 67 points in 82 games. Kubalik had 11 goals and four assists for 15 points in 74 games and Sebrango had one goal and eight assists for nine points between the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League and the Allen Americans of the ECHL.

While Kubalik is a reliable and dependable forward, Sebrango will almost be an AHL defenseman with the occasional call-up. We may not be able to truly rate this trade until the Senators make their picks in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. DeBrincat is still a key piece going forward as the Red Wings continue to push towards a playoff spot. Kubalik will have an NHL roster spot next season but he is currently a free agent.

DeBrincat maybe did not have the season most expected him to have last season with 27 goals. However, he still played a big role in the last season heroics of Detroit's playoff push and will be asked to do the same this upcoming season. One of the players heavily counted on, he will once again be a force next season , regardless of what the Red Wings do in the off-season. On the other hand, Kubalik will provide secondary scoring for a teamw ithiin reach of a playoff spot.

Looking back on this trade, both teams made out well. Detroit got a potential 30-goal scorer and a player that is dangerous offensively. For Ottawa, they got a middle-six forward with scoring ability, a defenseman with potential, and two draft picks who could provide some important depth as the Senators march forward towards a playoff spot.