Two front-runners now revealed in Alex DeBrincat sweepstakes!

The waiting game continues when it comes to forward Alex DeBrincat, who reportedly turned down an eight-year extension with the Ottawa Senators, resulting in GM Pierre Dorion searching for a trade partner for his blockbuster acquisition at the 2022 NHL Draft.

On Tuesday, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek revealed which teams were the top contenders to acquire DeBrincat, and while the Detroit Red Wings who have been in the mix since the rumours emerged and keep working to land the star forward, they have been joined by the New York Islanders.

“I still think that there’s interest from the New York Islanders,” said Marek. “That one would be a pretty sizable deal considering the numbers involved and considering how up against the salary cap the Islanders are.”

“As we do this program, Tuesday, July 4th, 2:14 Eastern, it sounds like the two teams in the DeBrincat sweepstakes here are the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Islanders,” added Marek. “That’s where we’re at.”

While the fanbase in Detroit is bummed that a trade for DeBrincat didn’t get done at the NHL Draft, there is still a chance they could pull it off this summer. Let’s not forget that DeBrincat is a Michigan native!

As for the Islanders, a lot of work needs to be done to make room for DeBrincat With just over $1M in available cap space and DeBrincat potentially looking for a contract similar to the one Timo Meier recently signed for eight years at an $8.8M AAV with the New Jersey Devils, New York would need to pull off a significant trade.

While DeBrincat could look to go back home to Michigan, he might prefer the Islanders seeing that they reached the postseason this spring and look to be in a win mode now, contrary to the rebuilding Wings.

Recommended articles:

• Alex DeBrincat's agent may have left millions on the table.
• Elliotte Friedman throws cold water on Detroit fans hoping for Alex DeBrincat
• Elliotte Friedman floats crazy “conspiracy theory” involving Alex DeBrincat
• Red Wings linked to trade for two time 40 goal scorer.
• Things get ugly between DeBrincat and Senators, both sides heading to court