Things get ugly between DeBrincat and Senators, both sides heading to court

Things have the potential to get ugly between the Ottawa Senators and pending RFA Alex DeBrincat.

DeBrincat has already informed Senators GM Pierre Dorion that he's not interested in signing an extension with the team and would prefer to be traded elsewhere. It's believed that DeBrincat's preferred destination is his hometown Detroit Red Wings, but there are reports that he would settle for pretty much any NHL team south of the Canadian border.

Dorion has been cagey in public concerning DeBrincat's situation so as to not entirely show his hand to other GM's around the league, but with news today that he's taking DeBrincat to arbitration, that's mostly out the window. Senators insider Bruce Garrioch reports today that indeed the Senators are taking DeBrincat to arbitration which essentially means that they'll be forcing him to sign a contract that he doesn't want to sign.

From Garrioch:

For those not familiar with the arbitration process, in certain circumstances either a team or the player can elect to go have their case heard by a judge in a court of law. The judge then awards a contract based on the information provided and on comparable contracts in the NHL. Usually though, arbitration is used when a player and a team can't come to an agreement on contract value and/or term. In those cases though, it's understood that the player would like to remain with the team. In DeBrincat's case though... that simply isn't true. He wants out and this is a way for the Senators to keep him hostage, presumably either to play him or to trade him at some point.

My advice as someone who hasn't worked a day in an NHL front office: Trade him today.

The Senators don't need the stress and associated headlines of playing hardball with a young, star player. They need to focus their attention on the players who do want to be in Ottawa, not the ones who don't. Trade him for a good return, pick up the pieces and move forward as a unified group with a renewed focus.