Detroit Red Wings plan to retain forward Alex DeBrincat with market‑value contract

Alex DeBrincat, the 28‑year‑old right wing for the Detroit Red Wings, posted a career‑high 41 goals and 85 points in the 2025‑26 season, becoming the first Detroit player since Marian Hossa in 2009 to reach the 40‑goal mark. Although trade rumors surfaced after Dylan Larkin’s trade request, an NHL insider reports the Red Wings are unlikely to move DeBrincat if they match his market value. He will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2026‑27 season, and the organization is expected to offer a long‑term deal reportedly worth at least $12 million per year. Coach Todd McLellan praised DeBrincat’s competitiveness, durability and two‑way play, noting his consistent presence in every game over the past five seasons. The team, which acquired DeBrincat from the Ottawa Senators in 2023, has also added Viktor Arvidsson and Lucas Raymond to bolster its offensive core, underscoring its intent to keep DeBrincat as a cornerstone of Detroit’s future plans.