Player Discussion Alex DeBrincat

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

I don't really agree with that, but I get the sentiment. He's a former multi 40 goal scorer that played with scrubs in comparison, so hard to blame him if it did rub him the wrong way.

He’s a guy who racked up points riding shotgun with a HOF player on a bad team. He’s never won anything.

Yeah, Pinto was a rookie. But him and Batherson are not scrubs. They’re young and talented.

If playing with them rubbed him the wrong way, that’s nuts. If his assessment is that they’re the reason for his down year… that’s even more nuts. The guy was handed prime minutes, especially on the PP, all year despite blowing chance after chance. For all the talk of him being a goal scorer he shot it right into the goalie or missed the net an awful lot.

Getting him out of town will be a positive.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

He’s a guy who racked up points riding shotgun with a HOF player on a bad team. He’s never won anything.

Yeah, Pinto was a rookie. But him and Batherson are not scrubs. They’re young and talented.

If playing with them rubbed him the wrong way, that’s nuts. Getting him out of town will be a positive.

Well, I think there's a gray area in there and I don't understand the hostility towards him.

He's a former two time 40 goal scorer on the doorstep to UFA and he had a very down year and played on the 2nd line with two centers that don't belong in the top 6 on any team, at least not yet for Pinto.

It's more about choosing where he wants to spend his career going forward and the situations available to him. Of course he wants the best for himself as most players do. Sure, if he were whining and complaining, it would be a bit silly, but if he just doesn't want to re-sign based on the opportunity he was given, and what he thinks will be available in the future, how can you blame him?

 

[BondraTime]

You are stating, without evidence, that Chicago granted PD permission to talk contract extension with DBC prior to the trade.

that is exactly what you’re saying.


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Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.

Does DBC give the same boilerplate lame duck answer that he’s “up for an extension” that he gave in August? Very likely.

A trade like this shouldn’t be made by a team like Ottawa without an agreed upon extension. Same as Stone with Vegas. The chance of a guy like DBC walking was always incredibly high. There is 0% chance L.A. traded for Fiala with hour the agreed upon extension worked out prior to the deal even going though.

It’s the fact, as has been reported by many people, that Dorion never even reached out to the players agent until a week after the trade.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.

Does DBC give the same boilerplate lame duck answer that he’s “up for an extension” that he gave in August? Very likely.

A trade like this shouldn’t be made by a team like Ottawa without an agreed upon extension. Same as Stone with Vegas. The chance of a guy like DBC walking was always incredibly high. There is 0% chance L.A. traded for Fiala with hour the agreed upon extension worked out prior to the deal even going though.

It’s the fact, as has been reported by many people, that Dorion never even reached out to the players agent until a week after the trade.

You’re kind of all over the place, I’m not seeing the proof Chicago granted permission prior to the trade.

 

[Ouroboros]

He went from playing on the top line with Kane in Chicago to the second line with Pinto and a broken Batherson in Ottawa, what's not to get?

Next season he'd likely get an upgrade at center in Norris, but potentially at the risk of reduced pp toi.

It's not that DJ didn't do enough for him so much as the makeup of our top 6 has behind Tkachuk for the foreseeable future.

On a healthy Sens team there is every chance he'd get a shot with Stutzle. We know that Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson works as a trio so DJ has the option of going back to that at any time. It's possible that the PP could be an ongoing issue.

Regardless, he's probably a 2nd line player on the majority of playoff teams, so if his goal is to have a shot at winning he's going to have to accept a reduced role wherever he goes.

If he just wants to pad his stats and collect pay cheques then he's probably doing us a favour by not engaging in contract discussions.

 

[Micklebot]

On a healthy Sens team there is every chance he'd get a shot with Stutzle. We know that Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson works as a trio so DJ has the option of going back to that at any time. It's possible that the PP could be an ongoing issue.

Regardless, he's probably a 2nd line player on the majority of playoff teams, so if his goal is to have a shot at winning he's going to have to accept a reduced role wherever he goes.

If he just wants to pad his stats and collect pay cheques then he's probably doing us a favour by not engaging in contract discussions.

He had the 14th most goals per game in the entire league since entering the league, prior to joining the sens; right or wrong I imagine he views himself more favourably than you do, so it makes perfect sense that he would expect to play on a top line even on a contender.

Maybe if Norris was healthy, he would have eventually gotten extended time with Stü, though we didn't try it out in the 5 games prior to him getting hurt.

 

[Cosmix]

Well, I think there's a gray area in there and I don't understand the hostility towards him.

He's a former two time 40 goal scorer on the doorstep to UFA and he had a very down year and played on the 2nd line with two centers that don't belong in the top 6 on any team, at least not yet for Pinto.

It's more about choosing where he wants to spend his career going forward and the situations available to him. Of course he wants the best for himself as most players do. Sure, if he were whining and complaining, it would be a bit silly, but if he just doesn't want to re-sign based on the opportunity he was given, and what he thinks will be available in the future, how can you blame him?

I get the sense of disappointment in Debrincat not re-signing here; however, that disappointment should not be directed at Debrincat. There is someone else to direct it towards.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I get the sense of disappointment in Debrincat not re-signing here; however, that disappointment should not be directed at Debrincat. There is someone else to direct it towards.

For sure. These are people and they have a say in where they live, even though that stings for fans sometimes.

 

[Adrianopolous]

DBC never really drove play, created chances, or was someone you can depend on to score. Whenever we were down I wanted Stutzle Tkachuk Giroux etc out there, not fuc*** DBC Batherson etc.

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

He had the 14th most goals per game in the entire league since entering the league, prior to joining the sens; right or wrong I imagine he views himself more favourably than you do, so it makes perfect sense that he would expect to play on a top line even on a contender.

Maybe if Norris was healthy, he would have eventually gotten extended time with Stü, though we didn't try it out in the 5 games prior to him getting hurt.

Guy averaged 19:00 of ice time a night last year, 2nd amongst forwards behind Stützle (12th amongst all LW in the NHL)
He averaged 4:05 of PP ice time a night last year, 2nd amongst forwards behind Tkachuk (4th amongst all LW in the NHL)
5v5, 63% of his starts were in the offensize zone, 12th amongst all LW in the league.

The guy was put in incredibly favourable positions all year. He was played like a top line player, despite not producing like one.

Who knows if any of these "reports" are true, but if he was irked by his utilization, good riddance. I want no part of an $8M a year player who thinks he's too good to play with Pinto and Batherson and wants someone on his line to carry him so he can pump his numbers.

If he wants to be paid like a top guy, he needs to be the one carrying his linemates. He should welcome the opportunity to drive his own line. Tkachuk and Barkov play on different lines. So do Stone and Eichel. They're not complaining.

But like I said, it's good news he wants out. It'll keep us from doubling down on what was already a mistake.

And I'd criticize him less if he wanted to leave because his wife missed her family and Ottawa has next to no direct flights anywhere, which, for a capital city, is terrible. At least that's something understandable.

 

[BigNastyPerk]

You’re kind of all over the place, I’m not seeing the proof Chicago granted permission prior to the trade.

There is no proof. that poster always acts like he knows everything

 

[5ive4Fighting]

He's just a guy that's not completely happy with his job. It's not a hockey crime. Mark Stone abandoning ship was a hockey crime. LOL

We had a year to make him completely happy in his job, and we failed. Is that because we missed some opportuntiy or made some mistake? Is it because he's a hard guy to please? Is it because he doesn't value what we're offering in a relative sense? We'll probably never know, because people are only as honest as is convenient.

 

[Micklebot]

Guy averaged 19:00 of ice time a night last year, 2nd amongst forwards behind Stützle (12th amongst all LW in the NHL)
He averaged 4:05 of PP ice time a night last year, 2nd amongst forwards behind Tkachuk (4th amongst all LW in the NHL)
5v5, 63% of his starts were in the offensize zone, 12th amongst all LW in the league.

The guy was put in incredibly favourable positions all year. He was played like a top line player, despite not producing like one.

Who knows if any of these "reports" are true, but if he was irked by his utilization, good riddance. I want no part of an $8M a year player who thinks he's too good to play with Pinto and Batherson and wants someone on his line to carry him so he can pump his numbers.

If he wants to be paid like a top guy, he needs to carry his linemates. Tkachuk and Barkov play on different lines. So do Stone and Eichel. They're not complaining.

Like I said, it's good news he wants out. It'll keep us from doubling down on what was already a mistake.

He was playing the majority of the year with a rookie center over his head, and a guy struggling with the lingering effects of a high ankle sprain, that's not incredibly favourable no matter how many OZ starts he got.

He's a premier goal scorer that we didn't really do much to put in a position to score 5v5 by ensuring he had a playmaker on his line.

I'll give you that he was used favourably on the PP, though it's up for debate as to whether he can count on keeping that role with Norris back.

It's not the team's or DJ's fault Norris got hurt or that Batherson was struggling but it is a fact that likely contributed to him having a disappointing season in a contract year.

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

He was playing the majority of the year with a rookie center over his head, and a guy struggling with the lingering effects of a high ankle sprain, that's not incredibly favourable no matter how many OZ starts he got.

He's a premier goal scorer that we didn't really do much to put in a position to score 5v5 by ensuring he had a playmaker on his line.

I'll give you that he was used favourably on the PP, though it's up for debate as to whether he can count on keeping that role with Norris back.

It's not the team's or DJ's fault Norris got hurt or that Batherson was struggling but it is a fact that likely contributed to him having a disappointing season in a contract year.

Excuses. I watched almost every game, and he easily could have scored 35 goals, playing with Pinto and Batherson, if he wasn't so terrible at finishing. His linemates got him tons of opportunities to score. He just couldn't get it in the back of the net. And that's what he's supposed to be good at. How many wide open net misses or grade A chances that he fired right into the chest pad? Lots.

I'll give him a pass for how horrid that line was defensively, because that was a group effort, but the lack of goals is on him.

But regardless, like I said, I'd have no interest in paying a guy over 8x8 if he wants to play 2nd fiddle on a line. If he wants to be one of the highest paid players on a team, he should embrace being a play driver.

It doesn't seem like that's in his character, if these reports are true, though, so bullet dodged.

You can find a guy who can ride shotgun with Stutzle for much less and use the savings to fill out the rest of the team. Norris will drive line 2. He'd be our 5th best forward next year, potentially 6th if Batherson rebounds, so I'm not losing sleep over moving on.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

If the Sens can move Debrincat for something relatively close to what they gave up to get him, and transition those assets and/or cap space into a less expensive 2nd line winger and a legit goalie I'll be fine with it all.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

He's just a guy that's not completely happy with his job. It's not a hockey crime. Mark Stone abandoning ship was a hockey crime. LOL

We had a year to make him completely happy in his job, and we failed. Is that because we missed some opportuntiy or made some mistake? Is it because he's a hard guy to please? Is it because he doesn't value what we're offering in a relative sense? We'll probably never know, because people are only as honest as is convenient.

That was more like abandoning a wreck already at the bottom of the sea to get up to the surface for air.

 

[Bileur]

There is no proof. that poster always acts like he knows everything

Burnersaywhat?

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Burnersaywhat?

Lol nice catch. Totally. 1st post.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Ya that's reasonable. Saros' contract situation is unfortunately bound to make Ottawa fans nervous and limit what they're willing to give up.

Greig, Ostapchuk, Thomson/JBD/Brannstrom and a 1st move the needle? I'd happily do something like that for Saros.

We've moved a lot of pieces out over the years and if there's one thing I've come to realize and accept, it's that you rarely get back one piece of similar value, especially with contracts looming. Basically everyone we dealt (Karlsson, Hoffman, Stone, Duchene, Etc.) went for multiple lesser pieces being magic beans, or just lesser pieces in general like the Hoffman trade.

Since when does any goalie go for a package like that?

Even asking Sanderson for Saros is insanely stupid.

Goalies are voodoo. Not to mention, goalies will always look a lot better in Nashville than in Ottawa. We should've learnt that hard lesson by now. Systems are crucial for goalies these days.

 

[Soundgarden]

Since when does any goalie go for a package like that?

Even asking Sanderson for Saros is insanely stupid.

Goalies are voodoo. Not to mention, goalies will always look a lot better in Nashville than in Ottawa. We should've learnt that hard lesson by now. Systems are crucial for goalies these days.

If you think Nashville has been some sort of defensive powerhouse the last couple of seasons you're wrong. Saros led the league in SA and saves this season with a shitty defense. Goalies are voodoo, but the elites stay pretty consistent.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

I would like to say that if the sens trade the cat to D-town....I want Marco Kasper in the Trade. Kasper will probably be a top 6 FW. Debrincat already is a top 6 FW, so I think it is fair. From my personal viewing I think Kasper may actually have first 1st line potential, but potential is not certain to be reached. So fair is fair, debrincat with a guarteed resign for Kasper and I am satisfied.

If the cat wants to leave to go back to merica I do not hold it against him. I do think it should be something to consider when adding my fellow mericans in the future. Either deeply vet the Americans or look to euros. Looking at euros may be an unsubstantiated feeling I have, but I just feel like non Russian euro players don't have the same leave their current franchise for the states vibes

 

[SpezDispenser]

The f*** of it is, we'll never see his true potential here. As noted a thousand times, he spent the year with a rookie and a guy battling the long term effects of a high ankle sprain.

It sucks.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

The f*** of it is, we'll never see his true potential here. As noted a thousand times, he spent the year with a rookie and a guy battling the long term effects of a high ankle sprain.

It sucks.

He could be back this year with two quality line mates and an improved D, have a great season helping us be in a playoff spot by the TDL and if Dorion is still here maybe he stays for the playoff run.

 

[Hale The Villain]

I would like to say that if the sens trade the cat to D-town....I want Marco Kasper in the Trade. Kasper will probably be a top 6 FW. Debrincat already is a top 6 FW, so I think it is fair. From my personal viewing I think Kasper may actually have first 1st line potential, but potential is not certain to be reached. So fair is fair, debrincat with a guarteed resign for Kasper and I am satisfied.

If the cat wants to leave to go back to merica I do not hold it against him. I do think it should be something to consider when adding my fellow mericans in the future. Either deeply vet the Americans or look to euros. Looking at euros may be an unsubstantiated feeling I have, but I just feel like non Russian euro players don't have the same leave their current franchise for the states vibes

Detroit isn't trading Kasper.

If they were willing to deal him for DeBrincat he would have been a Red Wing last season.

Best we can hope for is the 17th OVR + a secondary asset or two.

 

[PlayersLtd]

Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.

Does DBC give the same boilerplate lame duck answer that he’s “up for an extension” that he gave in August? Very likely.

A trade like this shouldn’t be made by a team like Ottawa without an agreed upon extension. Same as Stone with Vegas. The chance of a guy like DBC walking was always incredibly high. There is 0% chance L.A. traded for Fiala with hour the agreed upon extension worked out prior to the deal even going though.

It’s the fact, as has been reported by many people, that Dorion never even reached out to the players agent until a week after the trade.

Since Dcat was eligible for a big QO Chicago would have been wise to NOT grant permission since him and his agent could have angled toward the qualifying offer with every team they talked to thus driving down his value. Is that something Chicago should not have been considering?

You're making an unfounded assumption that they granted permission without providing a link when it's just not that simple.