DeBrincat traded to Red Wings by Senators, signs 4-year contract

Alex DeBrincat was traded to the Detroit Red Wings by the Ottawa Senators on Sunday for forward Dominik Kubalik, defenseman prospect Donovan Sebrango, a conditional first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft.

The 25-year-old forward, who was a restricted free agent, then signed a four-year, $31.5 million contract. It has an average annual value of $7.875 million.

"It's super exciting," said DeBrincat, a native of Farmington Hills, Michigan. "Obviously, growing up here and rooting for the Red Wings when I was younger, it's definitely a dream come true. I do have to say, I don't think anyone's happier than my parents. It's a full family. Everyone's happy, and it's a good spot for me."

DeBrincat had 66 points (27 goals, 39 assists) in 82 games last season, his first in Ottawa after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 7, 2022.

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At the time of the trade, when asked if he would sign long term with Ottawa, DeBrincat said that he needed time. He then told the Senators after the season that he would not sign a long-term contract.

"I'm definitely confident in my abilities," DeBrincat said Monday. "I think this team's a good fit for me, and obviously hopefully we can get back in the playoffs. Obviously that's everyone's goal, and hopefully it's sooner than later, and we've just got to keep growing as a team and I think just put in the work to get back there."

Detroit (35-37-10) finished seventh in the Atlantic Division last season and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the seventh straight season.

"I think we are a better team with Alex DeBrincat," Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said. "We were looking to add scoring ability and I think Alex definitely fits that. I think he's a very, very intelligent player who can score goals at every level and can fit in nicely on the wing for us. He's not just a scorer."

Selected by Chicago in the second round (No. 39) of the 2016 NHL Draft, DeBrincat has 373 points (187 goals, 186 assists) in 450 regular-season games, and six points (two goals, four assists) in nine postseason games.

"I don't know what the true definition of a goal-scorer is, but there just aren't a lot of them around the League, guys that can get it on their stick and any time they shoot it it looks like it has a chance of going in," Yzerman said. "I think we categorize Alex in that mold, as a sniper. Just one shot can change a game."

Kubalik had 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 81 games last season. The 27-year-old has one season remaining on a two-year, $5 million contract ($2.5 million AAV) he signed with Detroit on July 13, 2022.

Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round (No. 191) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Kubalik has 161 points (82 goals, 79 assists) in 283 regular-season games with the Blackhawks and Red Wings, and eight points (four goals, four assists) in nine postseason games.

Sebrango, 21, had seven points (four goals, three assists) in 39 games with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League last season, and 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 23 games with Toledo of the ECHL.

NHL.com columnist Nick Cotsonika and independent correspondent Dave Hogg contributed to this report