Should the Blackhawks ever consider trading Alex Debrincat?

The Blackhawks may be considering a full blown rebuild following their finish near the bottom of the Central Division this season. They have some veteran guys who may be ready to pack up and chase a Stanley Cup elsewhere, mixed with some young rookies and studs who are just making a dent in their NHL career. Players like Raddysh and Katchouk who are newly acquired forwards that I fully expect to be making an impact for years down the road, as well as players like Kirby Dach and Caleb Jones who are young studs that aren't going anywhere mixed with the veterans in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Tyler Johnson who are the dressing room leaders with plenty of playoff, and overall hockey experience. But, where does this leave forward Alex Debrincat?

Frank Seravalli is one of the most trusted sources throughout the hockey world. So for him to leave Debrincat's name out of the list of untouchables when the trade deadline came along this season is something to make note of. When you're sitting at 2nd in scoring for the Hawks with 73 points only behind Patrick Kane, you would think the team you're playing for would grant you with some security if you wanted to stay there. Now these may just be rumors but they still wreak havoc on a players mental game and could spill out onto the ice. We haven't seen this with him yet as his game has only seemed to continue to improve in every single aspect.

""Debrincat is a pure sniper in a pint-sized body. He has great speed and a very quick first step.""

Futureconsdierations.ca 2016

Debrincat, 24, has 73 points this season as previously mentioned, which is only 3 back of his career high 76 in 2018-19. His short stature has never stopped him from showing off his lethal offensive abilities both on special teams and at even strength. When the team selected him 39th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft they were expecting nothing less. After three straight 100 point seasons with the Erie Otters of the OHL, Debrincat's rookie season in 2017-18 was, to no ones surprise, an offensive showing. 52 points in his first 82 games, adding only 6 penalty minutes while finishing tied for 2nd in points on the team, Debrincat left an early mark on the league.

What should the Hawks do?

Keep Debrincat, he is arguably the best player on the team and could very well be the next captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. His point totals will only continue to increase and with the very likely additions of new, more offensive teammates over the next couple seasons he could move his way up the leaderboard even more, and at some point make a run to be one of the best players in the NHL.

If the Blackhawks do decide to move him, what could they get?

They would be getting a really hefty return. It would not surprise me one bit if the return for Debrincat included two top six forwards, an A level prospect and a first round draft pick. He is still young, and still a few years away from his prime while likely being worth around $10.5M AAV based on the current state of contracts around the league. There wouldn't be many teams with the assets or money to acquire him, but I could see the Rangers or Bruins making a serious push for him if it ever came to that.