Examining a Possible Deal Sending Alex DeBrincat to the New Jersey Devils

Enter rumors of various forwards who fit that category.

Such names as Timo Meier, Matthew Tkachuk, David Pastrnak, William Nylander, and Quinn Hughes have been mentioned. The thing is... they all will more than likely re-sign with their current teams.

Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was on NHL Network television on Monday afternoon and continued the conversation about the Blackhawks � specifically Alex DeBrincat. He threw out the New Jersey Devils as a potential suitor for DeBrincat, citing their desire to add an immediate impact forward for next season (and beyond).

A return to Chicago may look like this:

Dawson Mercer, Alexander Holtz, Tyce Thompson and Nolan Foote are all players who would look terrific in a Blackhawks' sweater. They are all between the ages of 20-23 and that builds for the future. We'll see if anything develops here.

Then, per NHL Sportsnet.ca insider Elliotte Friedman:

«What one GM said to me was that you can compare it to Brandon Hagel. Chicago put him out there, but you had to blow them away for them to consider it. And I think the thing I should stress is just because all these names are out there doesn't mean that things are absolutely, 100 percent going to happen. I think they simply want to know the market value of all their guys.»

Scott Wheeler at The Athletic ranked the Devils' prospect pool fourth in the NHL earlier this year. So, that may mean they aren't interested in adding to that pool so they may advance sooner in the standings and get to the postseason. The last time they made the playoffs was in the 2017-18 season when the Tampa Bay Lightning finished them off in five games.

It's almost a forgone conclusion that Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald would have DeBrincat on a top line with Jesper Bratt (26-G, 47-A) and Nico Hischier (21-G, 39-A). Add in DeBrincat's 41-G, 37-A and you have some kind of firepower.

From the Blackhawk's perspective, losing a player who's still only 24 would be gut wrenching. Still, the Windy City team needs to think of their future and feed the rebuild. Feed it, and it will provide for you for years to come.

So it seems that both GM's need to put their heads together and get a deal made. Other clubs will be all over trying to pry that second overall pick from Fitzgerald. If he chose DeBrincat, he wouldn't be disappointed.