Claude Giroux reveals that star winger wanting out of Ottawa was not a surprise to the rest of the team

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Mike Armenti
July 22, 2023 (9:12)

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The Ottawa Senators were the talk of the NHL at last year's draft after acquiring Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the 7th overall pick in the 2022 draft, plus a 2nd and 3rd round pick. However, just one season later, the Sens are the talk of the NHL once again for how big of a loss they took on the DeBrincat deal, getting far less for the 40-goal scorer from the Detroit Red Wings last month than they paid a year prior.

DeBrincat, who was an RFA this summer, was reportedly unwilling to negotiate a new deal in Ottawa, which pushed Sens GM Pierre Dorion to trade the 25-year-old. Veteran forward Claude Giroux was recently on TSN 1200 radio for an interview and discussed the Alex DeBrincat situation.

"We kind of saw it coming. It was his decision and we all enjoyed playing with Alex. He didn't want to be here. He didn't see himself here for the next eight years. So that's the business side of hockey that's not really fun. But it is what it is. Now we're going to move on." - Giroux on the departure of Alex DeBrincat in Ottawa

Ultimately, DeBrincat had his mind set on joining the Detroit Red Wings, so on July 9th, the Sens dealt DeBrincat to the Wings in exchange for Dominik Kubalik, Donovan Sebrango, conditional first-round pick in 2024 and a fourth-round pick in 2024. DeBrincat then signed a four-year deal with Detroit worth $7.875 million per season.

Source: The Hockey News