Red Wings winger Alex DeBrincat is heading into the final year of his contract, and the expectation is that he’d like to stay in Detroit. That matters, because the 28-year-old is eligible for an extension now, and the number being floated is big: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said in a recent appearance on OilersNation Everyday that DeBrincat is believed to be looking for an annual salary in the $12MM to $14MM range.
The spread depends on term. DeBrincat is currently on a deal with a $7.875MM AAV, and after putting up 80 goals over the last two seasons, he’s positioned himself right in the middle of the market for top-line wingers.
If the Red Wings don’t go there, someone else likely will.
There was also a tough update out of New York. The Rangers said center Joe Veleno left today’s game against Utah with a lower-body injury after crashing into the boards hard while trying to deliver a hit.
He had to be helped off the ice and could not put weight on his right leg. Veleno, 26, signed a one-year, $1.2MM deal on the opening day of free agency this summer after being non-tendered by Montreal.
He has been used as New York’s fourth-line center early in the season, and if he’s out for any length of time, the Rangers may need to bring up a center from AHL Hartford, since their extra forward, Matt Rempe, isn’t one.
In Ottawa, Jake Sanderson’s situation looks more concerning in the short term. Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports that the Senators defenseman is expected to miss at least the next two games after leaving the team’s road trip to return to Ottawa for testing.
The 24-year-old was already dealing with a lingering injury through training camp, and that same issue resurfaced in last night’s season opener in Toronto before he couldn’t finish the game. With Sanderson uncertain, Ottawa may need to be cautious, and Garrioch noted the club could revisit veteran Ben Hutton, who went unsigned after training camp and declined an invitation to skate with AHL Belleville.
Given how deep the Senators had to reach into their defensive depth last season, adding another option would make sense while Sanderson’s status remains up in the air.
In Other News...
Oilers Face One Costly Question In Any Lucas Raymond Pursuit
Detroits already uneasy forward picture has only become more complicated, with captain Dylan Larkin and defenseman Simon Edvinsson both tied to trade-request chatter and the organization still trying to sort out where it goes from here. In that kind of climate, even a core winger like Lucas Raymond can get pulled into the conversation, especially if the Red Wings decide a broader rebuild means listening on players who still carry real value around the league.
Edmonton has come up as a possible fit because the Oilers are always hunting for impact talent, and Raymonds age and skill set make him the kind of name that naturally stirs up speculation. The tricky part is finding a package that makes Detroit even pause, which is why any potential deal starts to feel like a bigger test of direction than a simple hockey transaction. The framework being floated is built around a sizable return, but the real question is whether the Red Wings would ever be willing to move a player who could still be part of their next core. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Larkins Red Wings Future Suddenly Feels Far Less Secure
A wave of uncertainty has followed several members of the recent U.S. Olympic hockey team, with names like Brady Tkachuk, Connor Hellebuyck, Zach Werenski and Quinn Hughes surfacing in trade buzz or future questions. For Detroit fans, the most unsettling piece of that list is Dylan Larkin, whose standing with the Red Wings has suddenly become a conversation instead of a given, even if the exact reasons behind these shifting situations are still being sorted through.
There are different theories for why some of these players are looking around or have complicated futures, from wanting to play closer to family to simply searching for a better team fit. What is not clear is whether the Olympic gold run itself changed anything in the short term, and for Detroit the real intrigue is what comes next for a captain whose future no longer feels as settled as it once did. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Top Six Already Facing Early Pressure To Deliver
The Red Wings have already learned how thin the margin can be when the offense is missing a few familiar finishers. Through the first two games, Detroit has been searching for more punch up front without its usual top-line center and veteran goal scorers, and head coach Todd McLellan has made it clear the top six forwards need to do more. Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond have echoed that message as the group works through a quiet start and tries to get the attack moving with more pace and purpose.
The power play has become an early focal point, too, because the unit is being asked to adjust without the same mix that helped carry it a year ago. Patrick Kane and Dylan Larkin were major pieces of that success, and their absence has left the Wings looking for answers as they try to create cleaner looks and finish chances at a better rate. For a team trying to build momentum early, the next few nights may say a lot about whether the top of the lineup can handle the load. [Read more 🡒]