Honestly, I think Ottawa could probably do better at the trade deadline. I would do a year out of arbitration and consider that. Especially with some retention.

I would think Ottawa would try to avoid that route. They'd probably get a better return while the team he's going to has an opportunity to negotiate a new contract as an RFA instead of a UFA.

Fantastic.

I think they would too and I think they have been smart to let this play out. My stipulation here is if the return is disappointing. That would make Plan B more attractive. I wouldn't bet it would come to that. I think they'll get a decent deal. But I wouldn't rule it out.

I think it's a big gamble giving him the one year from arbitration and hoping to move him at the deadline. What happens if Ottawa is in the mix? Can't imagine they'd move him then if they have a chance at competing in the playoffs. Then he walks for nothing.

I think if Ottawa was going to accept getting a bit fleeced on this it would have happened. I would take my chances if this were the return. I will be as curious as anyone as to how this plays out. It is Ottawa, after all.

It'll be more than that. At the deadline Debrincat gets a 1st +

I am not sure what contending team will have the cap space for that at the deadline

With 50% retention. If needed, another team can add 25%. We saw a lot of retention this past deadline. See Kane, Patrick.

"Could"? They 100% would

It's just CF being CF again...

Curious your thoughts on something. Personally, even as a rental I could see DeBrincat get a sizable return at the TDL. Would it not be more advantageous to sign the one year arb deal, push forward this year with a team rolling towards up, and hope he changes gears in favor of OTT? Or at least take a shot next year with the guys coming back (Norris, JC getting more familiar, etc.). If it does go sideways, cut losses at that point (TDL) and recoup a better return? Not a big follower of the Sense top to bottom so I couldn't say based on the eye test. Obviously tough considering the cap, but I'd assume you fans would know other moves to help (Joseph/etc.).

Don't know how to explain this shortly but Ottawa's GM is Pierre Dorion, who IMO really doesn't have it. They currently don't even have the cap space to have DeBrincat for 1 year...

I personally don't want DeBrincat long term (so I think Dorion is lucky here), he's not the type of player this team needs to allocate that money and term. They have Norris (if healthy) and Stutzle as 40 goals scorers plus Batherson and Tkachuk as 30 goals scorers. Then you have Claude Giroux, Shane Pinto, Ridly Greig, etc.

Getting DeBrincat was the wrong move from the start. He should have went after Chychrun right away (would have the Yotes refused the 7th OA pick + 2nd + 3rd?). Also keep Nick Paul and Connor Brown instead of Joseph and Gambrell + Gustavsson instead of Talbot

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Greig - Norris - Batherson
Paul - Pinto - Brown
Kelly - Kastelic - MacEwen

Chabot - Chychrun
Sanderson - JBD
Brannstrom - Zub

Gustavsson
Forsberg

That team would be a contender as soon as this season (with a new coaching staff of course). 4th line sucks though but I would have done that differently. Sign Zach Aston-Reese instead of MacEwen for example. Could have afforded another good 4th liner instead of Kelly too