Forward Alex DeBrincat was acquired by the Detroit Red Wings on July 9, boosting his individual fantasy value, Detroit's stacking outlook and Stanley Cup Playoffs futures appeal. The trade gives the Red Wings three players in NHL.com's top 75 overall fantasy rankings, with DeBrincat slightly behind defenseman Moritz Seider and center Dylan Larkin in that range.
DeBrincat, who signed a four-year contract with Detroit after the trade, remains among the top 40 players who are 25-and-younger for fantasy keeper and dynasty leagues. DeBrincat, who had NHL career highs in assists (39) and power-play points (led Senators with 30) last season, is likely to play on the Red Wings' top line with Larkin and wing Lucas Raymond and also the first power play with Seider and veteran wing David Perron.
Over the past three seasons combined, DeBrincat ranks 12th in the NHL in goals (100) and 30th in points (200 in 216 games) playing for the Senators last season and Chicago Blackhawks earlier in his NHL career. DeBrincat, who was a two-time 41-goal scorer with the Blackhawks and ranked second on the Senators in shots on goal (263) behind Tkachuk (347) last season, gives Larkin an elite linemate and a higher fantasy gear after an NHL career-high 79 points.
\The Red Wings and Senators, along with the up-and-coming Buffalo Sabres, should be considered fringe playoff teams in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. The Red Wings are entering their second season under coach Derek Lalonde and previously had some sneaky offseason additions in forwards Daniel Sprong, J.T. Compher and offensive defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. Goalie Ville Husso, who had NHL career highs in wins (26) and shutouts (four) for Detroit last season, is a potential fantasy beneficiary of these offseason moves and should be considered among the top 25 goalie options for this upcoming season.
The Senators lose DeBrincat, who was a part of their strong 25-and-younger core, but signed right wing Vladimir Tarasenko to a one-year contract July 27 and have a promising fantasy outlook with forwards Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, Claude Giroux, Josh Norris and three defensemen with high ceilings in Jakob Chychrun, Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson. Ottawa also upgraded in net this offseason by signing goalie Joonas Korpisalo, who's among NHL.com's top 15 fantasy goalie rankings for this season.
Giroux, 35, could see more first power-play time than last season and joins the top 100 overall fantasy rankings after the DeBrincat trade. Giroux had 24 power-play points in his first season with Ottawa despite playing on mostly the second unit and ranked third on the Senators in points (79) and was tied for their second most goals (35).
Wing Dominik Kubalik, acquired by the Senators from the Red Wings in the DeBrincat trade, is a potential deep sleeper with a chance to play on a line with either Stützle or Norris and potentially Tarasenko. Kubalik was a fantasy steal for Detroit last season with the second 20-goal, 45-point season of his NHL career and is coming off his highest totals in assists (25), power-play points (17) and shots on goal (174).
