After filling some gaps in free agency, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman caused a stir in finding the goalscorer the team desperately needs.
The Red Wings on Sunday brought 41-goal two-scorer Alex DeBrincat from the Ottawa Senators and signed him to a four-year extension at an average annual value of $7.875 million.
Detroit traded forward Dominik Kubalik, prospective defenseman Donovan Sebrango, a conditional draft pick for the 2024 first round and a 2024 fourth-round pick. The Senators will receive the bottom pick between the Red Wings’ 2024 first-round pick and the Boston pick, ranked in the top 10, acquired by Detroit as part of the trade with Tyler Bertuzzi. If that pick is pushed back to 2025, the Red Wings still have the choice of sending that pick or their own pick to Ottawa for 2024.
DeBrincat had aimed for seven or eight years, which delayed the deal.
DeBrincat, 25, was a restricted free agent who declared he would not re-sign with the Senators, forcing them to act. Detroit was the Farmington Hills native’s preferred travel destination.
Despite his height (5-8, 178) and defensive shortcomings (down-31 last season), he’s a proven goalscorer. He scored 27 goals with Ottawa last season and has 187 goals (along with 186 assists) in 450 games over six seasons.
Selected in the 2016 second round by Chicago (39th overall), DeBrincat scored 41 goals in his sophomore season in 2018–19 and again in 2021–22 as he posted a career-high 78 points.
The Red Wings ranked 24th in goals per game last season. After a series of free-agent signings that included JT Compher (career-high 52 points), Daniel Sprong (career-high 20 goals) and Shayne Gostisbehere (attacking defender), Yzerman said he hopes the Red Wings could score more goals together.
The rebuilt Blackhawks traded DeBrincat to the Senators on day one of the 2022 draft for first-, second-, and third-round picks.
Kubalik has one year left on a $2.5 million cap hit and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024.