Rumors Heating up For Alex Debrincat to go to New Jersey Devils..

Back on May 14th, this writer proposed just such a trade and now it seems to be catching some attention the NHL world.

The Devils wanting an NHL talent to improve their team faster than waiting for a prospect to develop, makes perfect sense.

The Blackhawks, on the other hand, have already announced that they will be in a rebuild. And remember NHL fans, the best method to jump start a rebuild is to stock your shelves with draft picks. Getting the second overall pick is more than acceptable for the Hawks.

In our poll contained in the article last month, 70% of respondents do NOT want Debrincat traded. But as is always the case, to receive something of value, one must give up something in return.

So, let's say the deal goes down... the Hawks could draft either Juraj Slafkovsky or Logan Cooley. That's not a bad way to kick off a rebuild! Either player would certainly help the Hawks.

There are those who believe with Jonathan Toews' future in question, that they should take Cooley. He is also placed by nine of 13 rankings to be the second overall pick. He has committed to attend the University of Minnesota this fall. Now, that doesn't mean if offered an NHL contract he will refuse that.

The other choice of Slafkovsky is appealing in that he already has an NHL size frame coming in at 6'-4", 218 pounds.

Certainly losing DeBrincat would be tough, but gaining one of these top prospects has to be a better option for general manager Kyle Davidson.

And New Jersey has to be thinking adding DeBrincat to other young talents like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier will elevate their standings almost immediately.