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Red Wings Review: Yzerman Can’t Let DeBrincat Leave Town
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- Red Wings Review: Yzerman Can’t Let DeBrincat Leave Town
The post Red Wings Review: Yzerman Can’t Let DeBrincat Leave Town appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now .
Debrincat
(Editor’s Note: This is another installment of a player-by-player analysis of the Detroit Red Wings ’ roster for the 2025-26 season. The emphasis is on how each player performed and their future in the organization. Today we discuss Alex DeBrincat who just completed his third season in Detroit. )
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Age: 28, doesn’t turn 29 until Dec. 18
Contract Status: Next season will be the last season of a deal paying him an average of $7.875 million per season. He can be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027
Last season’s contributions:You can build a case that DeBrincat was Detroit’s best player. The Michigan native scored 41 goals, including 26 even-strength goals. He also contributed. 44 assists.
Grade: A
Past
Playing on a Detroit Red Wings team that scored two or fewer goals in 32 (39%) of their 82 games, DeBrincat finished tied for 11th in the NHL with 41 goals. It was his third season scoring 40 or more goals. In his past two seasons wearing the Winged Wheel, he has totaled 80 goals.
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His Detroit squad finished 30th in even-strength scoring, DeBrincat scored 26 even-strength goals. No one else on his team managed to score 20 and only four others managed 10 or more.
“He’s an unbelievable hockey player,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. “(DeBrincat) plays way bigger than his size, and his goal scoring as advertised. And when he gets the puck, he’s dangerous. He holds onto the puck, and he drives our offense. “
Plus, DeBrincat and Patrick Kane are two wingers who have an almost magical chemistry when they play together. It’s like DeBrincat and Kane have a GPS that allows them to find each other regardless of distance or traffic.
And DeBrincat has proven over and over that he can shoot, and score, from anywhere in the offensive zone. His release is quick. His accuracy is elite level. The re-signing of DeBrincat is a critical component of Detroit’s plans moving forward.
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Present
Andrew Copp is a quality, all-around hockey player. The Red Wings were pleased with the work he did last season playing center for DeBrincat and Kane. But Copp is a not a natural No. 2 center. He’s a strong No. 3 center filling in effectively at No. 2.
One of the Steve Yzerman’s offseason objectives is to acquire another offensive center, probably through a trade.
That mission is important to the franchise’s re-signing of both DeBrincat and Kane. Both will want to know who their center might be in 2026-27. If a desirable trade isn’t found, it could be Marco Kasper .
Future
Everything about DeBrincat points to him re-signing with the Red Wings. He grew up in Michigan. His parents and close friends are here. He commands a significant amount of respect in the Red Wings’ room. DeBrincat is a family guy, and you can make your NHL career less stressful on your family by not moving around. Presuming negotiations go smoothly, DeBrincat can stay in Detroit another eight years. That would suit his personality and lifestyle.
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The only danger here is the possibility of DeBrincat becoming offended by the Red Wings demanding a steep hometown discount or holding the line on an offer below market value. We have sailed way past the possibility of negotiating a deal that would keep Dylan Larkin ($8.7 million) as the team’s highest-paid player.
DeBrincat projections, from those who report on contracts, range from $10.5 million to $12 million on an eight-year deal. The Winnipeg Jets re-signed Michigan native Kyle Connor to an eight-year deal at $12 million per season. Connor has 323 career goals and two 40-plus goal seasons. DeBrincat, a year younger, has 294 goals and three 40-plus goal seasons.
Projected contract:Based on the marketplace, DeBrincat has every right to ask for a contract paying him at least $11 million per season. He will re-sign with Detroit.
The post Red Wings Review: Yzerman Can’t Let DeBrincat Leave Town appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now .
