Red Wings are Finalizing an Extension With Star Wing

The Detroit Red Wings finally get good news as they look to lock in a star wing for the near future.

According to ESPN Insider Emily Kaplan, the Red Wings and right wing Alex DeBrincat are close to agreeing on a seven-year, $91 million extension. The news was broken shortly after the Red Wings lost an overtime game 5-4 to the New Jersey Devils, where he had two goals and an assist.

DeBrincat, 28, signed the deal shortly after the new NHL CBA took effect, which would’ve given him 8 years as opposed to seven. DeBrincat has been a bright spot for the Red Wings, with the wing scoring 296 goals and scoring 600 points, as well as being an iron man, playing 82 games a season for five straight years. While the Wings currently have the worst record in the Atlantic Division, DeBrincat has 8 goals on the season for the struggling franchise.

While his extension is a major win for the fans and organization, there’s a lot of uncertainty around the Red Wings. The team still has the Dylan Larkin trade request looming over the organization, with both the franchise and fanbase left with an unclear path moving forward. The team is still trying to get a deal done with defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who is currently playing in Sweden, as the team failed to agree on a contract.

The Red Wings, despite being an original 6 franchise and the winningest American hockey franchise, are in the midst of a nine-year playoff drought, likely 10 if this season is included. The team recently let go of their former General Manager and former Red Wing great Steve Yzerman, whom the team has yet to replace.

The fan base has pointed their finger squarely at owner Chris Ilitch, who has yet to prove that he’s willing to spend or make moves necessary for the team to win. In his tenure, the team has been a shell of the proud franchise it once was, and fans are becoming more vocal about a leadership change as the team continues to fail.

With DeBrincat signed, all attention goes to the Red Wings and how they handle the rest of the roster as the fans look to move forward and compete.