Ottawa Senators Rumors: Team Will Not Trade Forward Despite Interest

There has been speculation since the Ottawa Senators acquired Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks if they would flip him mid-season or even after the season. This is in part due to his contract situation as well as the Senators still being a fringe team.

Ottawa once again started the season poorly and has had to claw their way back into the playoff picture, but they still have a long way to go. Just a few weeks out from the trade deadline, the Senators are 24-24-3 and sit 10 points back of a playoff spot with one game in hand. They are just 5-5-0 in their last 10, but recently had their four-game win streak snapped. The team was finally expected to take a step forward and at least compete for a playoff spot, but have run into a couple of problems - Josh Norris' injuries and lack of defence.

What has been brought into question is the status of DeBrincat as the trade deadline approaches. Jess Marek and Elliotte Freidman mentioned that the Senators have been asked about DeBrincat and have indicated they will not be trading him at this deadline. He is under contract until the end of the season at $6.4 million AAV and will become a RFA. He is in line for a big payday as he is a two-time 40-goal scorer and has 17 goals and 42 points in 51 games on the second line of the Senators this season.

Most of the Senators' core is signed long-term already, so if the Senators are going to keep DeBrincat around, he will cost in the range of $8 million AAV as well.