Ryan Sikes 
Credit: NHL.com
A couple of weeks ago, the LA Kings were linked to forward Alex DeBrincat as a potential suitor to acquire the 24-year-old winger. Coming off his second career 41-goal season, DeBrincat checks a lot of the boxes that the Kings are looking for this summer in terms of additional scoring.
However, the question remained: what do the Chicago Blackhawks want in return?
The Athletic‘s Pierre LeBrun revealed that to acquire DeBrincat, the Kings or any other team would have to send a young player, high draft picks, and top prospects.
#Blackhawks are listening to teams offers for F Alex DeBrincat. While it’s no guarantee they move him, they are seeking a return that would feature a young player, high draft picks, and top prospects
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 18, 2022
He also re-confirmed that the Kings are one of the teams interested.
LeBrun writes in The Athletic #Blackhawks are listening to offers for Alex DeBrincat. There is no guarantee they'll deal him, the cost won't be cheap, Chicago wants a younger player/high pick/top prospect type of return. LeBrun writes the Kings are one of the teams interested.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 20, 2022
That’s a lot to unpack here.
We knew that the cost to acquire DeBrincat would be a haul, especially after what the Blackhawks netted in the Brandon Hagel deal with Tampa.
However, this request seems like a King’s ransom (no pun intended).
Picture this:
Kings acquire:
- Alex DeBrincat
Blackhawks acquire:
- Alex Turcotte
- 2022 first-round pick
- 2023 first-round pick
- Brandt Clarke
- More?
DeBrincat is a good player, but he’s also entering the final year under contract before becoming a restricted free agent.
Sure, the Kings would have him under team control long-term, but after the 2022-23 season, in which he’ll carry a $6.4 million cap hit, DeBrincat figures to receive a sizeable increase in pay.
The Kings might be better served to pursue one of the top-scoring threats in free agency and keep all their assets.
Do you agree?