Alex DeBrincat was traded to the Ottawa Senators on draft day 2022. It was the first time in a long while that the Senators’ fan base allowed itself to feel true excitement. It was a statement by Pierre Dorion that the Senators wanted to be competitive. Even though the Sens had no assurances from DeBrincat that he would sign a contract extension, they took the gamble and traded a 1st -round draft pick (which was 7th overall in 2022), as well as a 2nd-round pick in 2022 and a 3rd-rounder in 2024.
The Sens still have Shane Pinto and Erik Brannstrom to sign, both of whom are restricted free agents; next year they will have to sign Jake Sanderson.