A day before facing his former Ottawa Senators teammates, Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat wanted to set the record straight.
“No, I never asked to be traded,” he told The Athletic on Friday. I said I wouldn’t sign a long-term contract.”
Last July, the Sens sent DeBrincat to the Red Wings in exchange for forward Dominik Kubalik, defenseman Donovan Sebrango, a conditional first-round pick in 2024 and a fourth-round draft pick that same year.
This transaction came about a year after the Ottawa club acquired the American from the Chicago Blackhawks. At that time, the Senators offered first, second and third round picks for his services.
“There’s not necessarily a villain in this story,” DeBrincat added. Difficult decisions had to be made and we chose what we chose. Maybe the stars weren’t aligned the way we would have liked. There are no hard feelings on my part.”
The Red Wings will visit the Senators at the Canadian Tire Center on Saturday afternoon. DeBrincat expects Team Canada fans to express their dissatisfaction with him.
“If they have to do that, that’s fine. They are passionate fans in Ottawa and only want the best for their team.
With the Red Wings, DeBrincat signed a four-year contract that will allow him to earn $7.875 million annually. He has been on fire since the start of the season.
In four games he scored five times and provided three assists for eight points. Heading into Friday night’s National League games, the Michigan native is tied with Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson for the top spot on the Bettman Tour in points.
The Red Wings and Senators have posted identical 3-1 records so far in the 2023-24 season.
“I wish Ottawa and its fans nothing but the best,” DeBrincat added. These fans are so passionate and it’s great to see them having success at the start of the season. I think the exchange was good for everyone.”