Pierre Dorion should be celebrated for series of DeBrincat trades
Alex DeBrincat’s 82 game career as an Ottawa Senator has come to an end.
DeBrincat was shipped to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Dominik Kubalik, Donavan Sebrango, a conditional first round draft pick in 2024, and a 4th round pick in 2024.
For the Senators, there is a distinct chance that in the long run, the total quality of assets shipped away for DeBrincat will outweigh what Dorion was able to recoup. Dorion had traded the 7th overall pick in 2022 along with a 2nd and 3rd for DeBrincat, and though it’s possible the Red Wings’ selection ends up being in a similar range, there are no guarantees.
Detroit has selected 4th, 6th, 8th, then 9th in the last four drafts, and after continuing to build out the depth of their roster in free agency this year, that trend of selecting later every year very well could continue. DeBrincat will help their case too. I don’t suspect the Wings will make the playoffs, meaning the pick should be at 15 or better – but predicting the playoffs in July is a fool’s game.
It will be interesting to see DeBrincat suit up as one of the top two players for a team with playoff aspirations. Though his numbers didn’t pop in his singular Senators season (he did very quietly put up a career high in assists with 39, however), he was an excellent winger on a team with a lot of them. His numbers may have reflected that. His average quality of linemate will drop in Detroit, but with it, comes an increased in opportunity. He is now the clear sniper, the clear cut best winger. He’ll either thrive under that or struggle to battle the possibility of lower quality linemates and being matched up against the opposition’s best.
Ultimately, this trade will be impossible to judge until the first rounder Ottawa gets is determined and selected. It does indeed looks as though Dorion will end up being behind in assets when all is said and done, though. And that is just fine. People reasonably get wrapped up in asset management, and feeling like they must win trades. And there is a palpable fear in not acquiring players unless their commitment to the franchise is guaranteed. That is all understandable and fine and dandy. But what’s wrong with taking a calculated swing for the fences? Of taking a risk when a rare type of player becomes available? Dorion should be commended for straying away from the conservatism that often plagues NHL general managers.
No, DeBrincat didn’t score 35 goals for the Sens. No, he didn’t commit to the franchise throughout the prime of his career. And no, the Senators will likely not recoup an asset as valuable as a 7th overall pick in this series of transactions.
But at least DeBrincat was honest in that he wasn’t going to sign long term in Ottawa.
And that’s just fine.
Everyone will move along.
And Dorion’s reputation should stay nicely in tact.
