The Detroit Red Wings and Alex DeBrincat are close to sealing a seven-year contract worth $91 million, according to NHL Network and Sportsnet Canada's Elliotte Friedman. The deal would carry an annual average value of $13 million, locking in the forward as a mainstay for the team.
DeBrincat, who leads the Wings with four goals this season, scored twice and added an assist during Detroit’s 5-4 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils on October 13. The 25-year-old winger had 41 goals last season, topping the Red Wings’ scoring charts.
“Critical is a real good word for him,” coach Todd McLellan said about DeBrincat’s importance to the team. “It shows how exactly how important he is to our team and organization. We need him.”
The impending contract extension would mark a significant move for interim general manager Shawn Horcoff, who faces several roster challenges. Negotiations with defense prospect Simon Edvinsson remain unsettled, and captain Dylan Larkin has maintained his trade request, complicating Detroit’s offseason plans.
DeBrincat’s performance so far this season underlines why the Red Wings are eager to keep him. His ability to generate offence and contribute in tight moments has made him a focal point of the team’s attack early in the campaign.
The Wings have struggled to find consistent form, with the narrow overtime loss against the Devils a reminder of their ongoing challenges. Still, DeBrincat’s presence offers a measure of stability and hope for Detroit’s rebuilding efforts.
As talks near completion, the Red Wings will aim to finalize the deal swiftly to avoid any distractions that could affect the team’s focus during the early stretch of the NHL season. The organization has yet to announce an official statement, but Friedman’s report has been widely accepted as reliable.
With DeBrincat potentially secured for the long term, the Wings can turn their attention to other pressing roster issues, including resolving Larkin’s future and Edvinsson’s contract status. For now, Detroit appears ready to keep one of its top scorers in the fold.
According to Yahoo Sports.
