Apr 2, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Alex DeBrincat (12) lines up for face-off during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Ottawa Senators at Columbus Blue Jackets
(New York, NY) — It’s the same old story for the New York Islanders.
The team has once again missed out on landing a superstar. Alex DeBrincat will not be in orange and blue this season.
The 25-year-old was traded to the Detroit Red Wings from the Ottawa Senators, subsequently signing a massive extension with the team worth nearly $32 million for the next four years.
The Islanders were one of a teams believed to be interested in securing the forward. DeBrincat, one the best young players in the NHL buried 27 goals for the Senators last season. The decorated forward has scored 40 goals in a season twice.
The trade was inevitable after Detroit created cap space by releasing Filip Zandina – but for many, this missed opportunity is the latest off-season failure for New York.
In fact, previous offseason failures show this isn’t an unfamiliar feeling.
Remember Artemi Panarin?
The Isles were gunning the forward down back in 2019, but he later signed with its neighboring team – the New York Rangers.
Even Nazem Kadri was being sought by the Islanders. Reportedly, the deal was going to happen, but never was finalized. Instead Kadri signed with the Calgary Flames.
So why can’t the Islanders land a star player? Is it GM Lou Lamoriello? Do players just use the Isles for trade leverage?
While these answers are unknown, the team’s 2023 offseason yet again proven to be a failure.
