The Detroit Red Wings locked up one of their biggest pieces late Tuesday, agreeing to a seven-year extension with Alex DeBrincat that comes in at an average annual value approaching $13 million. The deal landed just after DeBrincat turned in another reminder of why Detroit wanted to keep him around, scoring twice in the Red Wings’ 5-4 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils.
DeBrincat, 28, is coming off the best season of his career, piling up 41 goals and 85 points. He had been working under a four-year, $31.5 million contract and was set to become an unrestricted free agent in July 2027. He had already made it clear he wanted to stay in Detroit, and with the extension now done, attention shifts to the rest of the roster - specifically whether Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson are next in line.
Edvinsson’s situation drew extra notice when a photo surfaced of him with his bags packed and a caption that read, “best of luck.” The report was that he was headed back to North America for training.
Chris Johnston of TSN said, “He wants to work for a trainer back in North America that he feels comfortable with, but it obviously gets him closer to the NHL, both in proximity and, he hopes, in terms of his game shape. Not necessarily a sign that there’s been a breakthrough on the contract front, but the fact that he is coming back does symbolize some good things.”
In Edmonton, the wins keep piling up, but so do the decisions. The Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Tuesday to complete a California sweep and stretch their winning streak to five straight. Connor McDavid marked his 800th NHL game with a four-point night, and he now sits at a league-leading 17 points through six games.
Still, one of the bigger stories around the Oilers is Vasily Podkolzin. He’s up to seven goals and has stretched his point streak to six games, giving Edmonton a top line that has been rolling with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
That creates a genuine lineup puzzle for head coach Mike Babcock as Zach Hyman gets closer to returning from injury. Hyman has long been a key piece beside McDavid, but Babcock didn’t tip his hand on whether that trio will stay intact, saying only that he’s excited the Oilers are getting some depth back soon.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, is hearing from the rest of the league. Pierre LeBrun said on Tuesday’s edition of Insider Trading that general manager Danny Briere’s phone has been busy, with other teams calling about the Flyers. That said, interest doesn’t equal a major move, and LeBrun noted there isn’t a blockbuster sitting there ready to fix the club’s problems.
Some frustrated fans have reportedly been chanting for head coach Rick Tocchet to be fired, but that’s not a direction management is seriously considering. There’s also chatter around Travis Konecny, though a trade for him does not appear close.
Out west, the Vancouver Canucks are among the teams keeping tabs on Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary after his recent demotion to the American Hockey League. Elliotte Friedman reported that Vancouver has interest in the 25-year-old, but nothing is said to be imminent. For the Canucks, that kind of move could fit a search for younger pieces as they continue reshaping the roster.
And in Toronto, the Maple Leafs may need to start scanning the trade market after losing Chris Tanev from the lineup. It isn’t known whether the issue is serious, but there is concern that even a short-term absence could be the start of something bigger.
Jonas Siegel of The Athletic identified three possible names the Maple Leafs could look at: Chicago’s Ian Cole, Philadelphia’s Rasmus Ristolainen or Calgary’s Zach Whitecloud. Finding a dependable replacement won’t be simple this early in the season, but Toronto’s defensive situation may leave general manager John Chayka with little choice but to explore what’s available.
In Other News...
Flames Finally Got The Response Fans Needed After That Start
After a season-opening skid that had Calgary looking for any kind of traction, the Flames found a response in Anaheim. They built an early lead, lost it when penalties opened the door for the Ducks, then settled back in and played with more purpose over the second and third periods. The result was a 4-2 road win that at least gave the club something to point to beyond the frustration of its first few outings.
Aydar Suniev helped turn the night around with the tying goal and a key setup on the go-ahead score, while Martin Pospisil added the late game-winner after beating the Ducks off the rush. Dustin Wolf also had to be sharp when the game was still hanging in the balance, and the Flames eventually closed it out with Yegor Sharangovich sealing it into an empty net. The penalty issues still stood out, but for one night Calgary looked more like a team willing to push through the mistakes instead of being buried by them. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Face A Tough Blue Line Call As Trade Buzz Builds
The Flames are still sorting through the ripple effects of an active market, and the blue line is right in the middle of it. Simon Edvinsson has come back to North America to train while working toward a deal with Detroit before the Dec. 1 deadline to make this season count, leaving one more notable name in the defensive conversation and keeping attention on how much movement could still be ahead around Calgary.
Zach Whitecloud has also been part of the chatter, with Toronto taking a look at the veteran defender as it gauges its options. For Calgary, he arrived in the Rasmus Andersson trade and has brought the profile of a Stanley Cup winner, but the early returns have been quiet so far, and that only adds another layer to a blue line picture that already feels unsettled as the deadline buzz starts to build. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Fans Have A Reason To Watch Torontos Defensive Search
Chris Tanev landing on injured reserve has left Toronto with an obvious hole on the blue line, and the Maple Leafs are already digging through the market for short-term help. The names surfacing in reports from The Athletic and NHL insider David Pagnotta include Ian Cole, Zach Whitecloud and Rasmus Ristolainen, a mix that suggests the Leafs are weighing both stopgap help and something a little more durable if the opportunity is right.
For Calgary, the interest is worth watching because Torontos search could ripple beyond one roster. A team trying to stabilize its defense for this season and beyond has to balance fit, cost and timing, and the options being discussed come with very different profiles. If the Leafs decide to press harder on one of those targets, the move could shape the market for other clubs looking to add on the back end too. [Read more 🡒]