Red Wings finalizing long-term extension with Alex DeBrincat in much-needed piece of good news for Detroit

The elite winger DeBrincat’s presence was immediately felt, helping Raymond break out in his third year into a 72-point player. The star-powered Red Wings improved to 41 wins, their best campaign of the “Yzerplan” era, devastatingly coming just short of the Wild Card by means of a tie-breaker to the Capitals. Things have gone downhill since then, but that’s not to say DeBrincat had any doing into where things are today.

Drafted 39th overall by the Blackhawks a decade ago in a pick which they fetched from Montreal in exchange for grinder Andrew Shaw, Chicago made out like bandits. A classic case of an electric junior scorer sliding due to his size (5-foot-8), DeBrincat enjoyed playing with generational talent Connor McDavid in his first OHL season as an Erie Otter, taking on the baton for the next two seasons. The righty led Erie to an OHL championship in 2017, posting an absurd 65 goals and 127 points in 63 games. DeBrincat needed no time in the AHL, jumping into Chicago’s lineup the following season. Ever since then, just about any exciting undersized forward prospect is tossed around as a DeBrincat comparable by the most optimistic of fans.

As much of an impact as “The Cat” made, forming a dynamic duo with Kane, DeBrincat’s ascension into stardom only came as the Blackhawks dynasty faded. Throughout his tenure the Michigan native managed just nine playoff games with Chicago, all coming in 2020 during the unconventional COVID-19 postseason bubble. Two years later DeBrincat found himself dealt to the Senators despite a career-high 41 goals, Chicago taking back a seventh overall pick they used to select Kevin Korchinski. He never had a chance to play alongside Connor Bedard as the Hawks embraced a hardcore rebuild.

Playing just one season for the Sens in 2022-23, DeBrincat managed to suit up in all 82 games but his 66 points were a bit less than what they bargained for. Coming three spots short of the playoffs, he was a restricted free agent, but not interested in signing long-term in Canada’s capital city. The situation ended favorably, landing with his childhood favorite team and signing a four-year deal worth $7.9MM annually.

So far this season DeBrincat has only reinforced how crucial it was for Detroit to retain him. Off to a blazing start with four goals and eight points in six games as his group stumbles with a 1-3-2 start, losing him would leave the Red Wings in a place not far from as dire as it was seven years ago, offering just 19 wins. Last month the star emphasized his desire to stick around, and whatever comes of other pieces, they’ll be ready to build around he, Raymond, and Moritz Seider as the anchor on the back end. Based on obvious reasons, DeBrincat embodies “face of the franchise” attributes in the Motor City.

Even despite his raise of over $5M per, the door will be wide open for Detroit on virtually any free agent this summer. The contracts of Andrew Copp, Justin Faulk, as well as John Gibson will all expire; opening up over $17M in space. Whomever they settle on as their next general manager, the role currently held by Shawn Horcoff, the Wings will have abundant options this summer, able to take their best shot at Quinn Hughes and Jason Robertson. Just about any high point producer would relish the opportunity to play alongside the offensive catalyst in DeBrincat who is now set to be locked up through 2033-34.