Re-signing DeBrincat a crucial part of rebuild

There hasn't been a lot to be excited about this season for the Hawks as they rank 27th out of 32 teams with 63 points, but the stars have shined and no one more than 24-year-old left wing Alex DeBrincat.

The Cat leads the team by a wide margin with his 40 goals, his second 40 goal campaign in five seasons. He also leads the team in power play goals with 14, game-winning goals with 6 and is tied with Connor McDavid for the league lead with four overtime winners. His next point will be his 77th, a new career-high.


DeBrincat's short stature (5'7") has never stopped him from showing off his lethal offensive abilities both on special teams and at even strength. When the Hawks 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 where he played with the likes of McDavid and current teammate Dylan Strome, his rookie season in 2017 was to no one's surprise, an offensive showing. He put up 52 points in his first 82 games, while finishing tied for 2nd in points on the team. From day one, DeBrincat left an early mark on the league.


So with the Hawks firmly in a rebuild, what should they do with the Cat?
The answer is obvious. You need to keep DeBrincat. He is arguably the best player on the team and could very well be the next captain of the Hawks, should Toews move on or hang up his skates. 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 make a run as one of the best players in the NHL.

He is 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. His contract is up in the summer of 2023 and resigning him is a must for general manager Kyle Davidson. We already shipped Panarin out of town. Don't make that mistake again. DeBrincat is one of the game's elite snipers who can score from any angle with a lightning quick release. He very well could be the face of the franchise going forward.