A relatively quiet weekend in the NHL burst into flames on Sunday evening when the Detroit Red Wings consummated a trade to acquire forward Alex DeBrincat from Ottawa. Detroit then to keep him with the Red Wings — the reason Ottawa traded him after just one season was the boy wanted to get paid.
The trade was a full six degrees of Blackhawks. Headed to Ottawa was, among the other pieces, another forward the Blackhawks let go last summer: Dominik Kubalik. The conditional first-round pick in 2024 is reportedly Detroit’s choice between their own and Boston’s, which the Red Wings control.
As a reminder, the Blackhawks traded DeBrincat to the Senators just before the 2022 NHL Draft for Ottawa’s first and second-round picks in 2022 and a third-round pick in 2024. The picks Chicago received last year were used on Kevin Korchinski (No. 7 overall) and Paul Ludwinski (No. 39 overall). Both players have already signed their entry-level contracts with the Blackhawks, and Korchinski appears to be on the trajectory the Blackhawks hoped he would take last year towards becoming a top-pair defenseman in the NHL.
Also as a reminder, the Blackhawks let Kubalik walk as a free agent last summer. His goal scoring totals had gone down in three consecutive seasons; he finished his Blackhawks career with 15 goals in 78 games. He rebounded last year, scoring 20 for the Red Wings in 81 games on a two-year contract that carries a $2.5M cap hit.
With this deal in place now, I’m going to confidently say Kyle Davidson won the deal with Ottawa. Ottawa got one, 27-goal season from DeBrincat at the expense of a top-ten pick (and the other assets). In return, they got Kubalik (who will be 28 when the new season begins), what will likely be a mid- to late-first round pick and a fourth round pick. The Blackhawks’ pick from Ottawa in the third round — the third pick they received in the trade last summer — will happen before the Sens’ second pick in this trade. Well played, Kyle from Chicago. Well played indeed.
Let’s watch Martin Misiak talk about being a Marian Hossa fan, shall we?
The Blackhawks released the latest episode of their “Every Shift” series on Sunday night and I absolutely love it! It runs from the draft lottery through last week’s development camp. You get some great, behind-the-scenes looks at the Blackhawks’ picks, the front office process and just how much Davidson wanted Oliver Moore. Definitely give it a watch!
Let’s watch Luke Richardson provide an answer that’s OBVIOUS Shirts-worthy. Yes, Connor Bedard will be on the Blackhawks’ roster on Opening Night in Pittsburgh. And my guess is he’ll be the final named announced by Gene Honda in the starting lineup with the Blackhawks begin their home schedule as well.
My guy David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period provided some modest updates on the Maple Leafs trying to sign their two marquee forwards who could both hit unrestricted free agency in 12 months. Both players are looking for north of $10 million AAV on their next contract, and it appears Toronto has (understandably) made Matthews the priority. Which means… what for Nylander?
Finally, the MLB draft is still going on today, with rounds 3-10 happening Monday. The Cubs made a couple selections on Sunday evening and their first pick his this absolute tank this past season. The Big Ten had a nice day in the draft.
