The Red Wings’ offseason has revolved around Dylan Larkin, but the more urgent question is what comes after him. If Larkin is moved, Detroit will need someone else to carry the offensive load and become the player the franchise can point to. Based on what he just did, Alex DeBrincat looks like the clearest answer.
DeBrincat put together the best season of his career. In 82 games, he finished with 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points, matching his career high in goals while setting new personal bests in assists and points.
The underlying numbers backed up the production, too. According to Natural Stat Trick, he posted a 51.19 CF%, a 48.76 SCF%, and a 52.97 xG%.
That kind of output fits the profile of a true offensive centerpiece. DeBrincat is the sort of scorer who can beat a goalie from just about anywhere, and NHL Edge had him in the 94th percentile or higher in shot location last season. That versatility matters for a team trying to reshape itself, because it gives Detroit a player who can absorb a huge share of the scoring burden while the front office puts resources into other areas such as defense and physicality.
He’s also expanded his game beyond pure finishing. DeBrincat has become a much better passer, with 40 or more assists in two of the last three seasons.
Add in the speed and feistiness he uses to create lanes and get in front of the net, and he’s helping open things up for everyone around him. That kind of work can lift the rest of the offense with it.
Maybe he isn’t the loudest voice in the room. Maybe he doesn’t need the captain’s “C” to set the tone.
But his style gives a team something to rally around, and that matters. If the Red Wings want the kind of edge that helps them reach the playoffs and push deeper, this is the sort of player they need leading the way.
Once Detroit sorts out the Larkin situation, the next move should be obvious: lock DeBrincat in long-term. He looks like the right player to step into the opening Larkin would leave behind.
In Other News...
Red Wings Legend Sergei Fedorov Suddenly Faces Serious New Controversy
The Red Wings spent earlier this year celebrating Sergei Fedorov as one of the franchises all-time greats, retiring No. 91 in a nod to a career that helped define an era in Detroit. Fedorov remains one of the most accomplished players in team history, with three Stanley Cup championships and a Hart Trophy adding to a legacy that still resonates strongly with fans.
Now his name is back in the spotlight for a very different reason. Fedorovs ties to CSKA Moscow have drawn fresh attention, and the controversy surrounding him adds an uncomfortable layer to a figure long viewed in Detroit through the lens of hockey greatness. For a player whose place in Red Wings history is already secure, the latest headlines make his post-playing profile far more complicated than the jersey ceremony suggested. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Larkin Buzz Puts Stars Fans Back In A Familiar Debate
Dylan Larkins offseason request has already turned into one of those league-wide storylines that keeps circling back to the same place: what happens if the Red Wings really do move on from their captain? For Detroit, the situation is complicated enough on its own, with the club still needing a general manager before anything can get serious, but the ripple effect has also reached teams that have long been connected to Larkin through trade chatter.
Dallas fans, in particular, have reason to keep an eye on it because Larkins name has landed in the same familiar conversation as several other possible destinations. The catch is that every path forward comes with obstacles, from the Red Wings front-office vacancy to salary cap issues around the teams believed to be in the mix, which is why this one still feels like a deal waiting for the right opening rather than one ready to cross the finish line. [Read more 🡒]
Familiar Red Wings Pipeline Names Are Already Moving On
A few familiar names from the Red Wings recent AHL pipeline are already on the move for next season, with three former Grand Rapids Griffins finding new homes overseas and in the league. Defenseman Josh Didier, who served as Griffins captain for two seasons, is headed to Swedens Bjorkloven, while forward Kiril Tyutyayev is moving on to Switzerlands GCK Lions after once being a Detroit draft pick.
Michael Milne is also changing scenery, signing a one-year deal with the Manitoba Moose after a brief stint in Grand Rapids and a late-season acquisition by Detroit. For a system that has leaned on turnover and constant evaluation at the minor-league level, it is another reminder that the roster churn never really stops, even for players who were part of the organizations recent plans. [Read more 🡒]