Blackhawks deal DeBrincat to Senators for package of picks including 7th overall
The Chicago Blackhawks traded star winger Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators for a package of draft picks including the seventh overall selection in Thursday's draft, the teams announced.
Chicago also receives a 2022 second-round selection and a 2024 third-rounder in the deal.
DeBrincat was heavily rumored to be available leading up to the draft as the Blackhawks made it a priority to acquire a first-round pick this summer. Chicago dealt its 2022 first-rounder to the Columbus Blue Jackets last year to acquire defenseman Seth Jones.
The Blackhawks also traded 2019 third overall pick Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
DeBrincat is one of the league's top snipers, already posting two 40-goal seasons at 24 years old. He carries a $6.4-million cap hit this season before hitting restricted free agency in 2023.
Alex DeBrincat, traded to OTT, is an elite sniper who draws a lot of penalties and creates plenty of offence with his skating, puck skills, and passing. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/etZbuUNsz8
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 7, 2022
"Alex's acquisition brings immediate and additional firepower to our forward group," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. "He's a dynamic forward who's a scoring threat to the opponent when in the attacking 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's arrival gives Ottawa one of the best young forward corps in the NHL, which already featured the likes of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, and Josh Norris.