Alex DeBrincat appears to be heading toward a major long-term commitment in Detroit, with the Red Wings closing in on a seven-year extension that would carry a $13-million average annual value.
It is not official yet, but the direction of travel is clear enough. Detroit is moving toward a deal that would lock in one of its most productive forwards and make him a central part of the club’s next phase.
Why Detroit is prepared to pay up
DeBrincat’s case is built on consistency and output. He is in his 10th NHL season, and his record across Chicago, Ottawa and Detroit shows why teams continue to value him so highly.
He has 702 career games, 298 goals and 603 points, which is the profile of a proven top-end scorer rather than a player who has only flashed for short stretches. For Detroit, that matters. Long-term deals at this level are always about trust as much as talent.
The forward has also shown he can deliver in a Detroit jersey. He was traded to the club from the Ottawa Senators in July 2023 after being drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 2016 draft, and he has quickly become part of the team’s scoring spine.
Recent form strengthens the argument
DeBrincat’s latest outing underlined his value again. On Tuesday, he scored two goals and added an assist in an overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils.
That came after a strong opening to the season, with four goals and eight points in his first six games. For a team that has started the 2026-27 Red Wings season at 1-3-2, that kind of production has been one of the brighter signs.
Detroit is not just paying for reputation here. It is paying for a player who can still drive offence, create finishing chances and provide stability when the team needs it most.
A major call from Detroit
A seven-year extension at a $13-million AAV would be a serious bet on both the player and the direction of the franchise. It would also reflect how highly the Red Wings rate DeBrincat within the current group.
Steve Yzerman’s move from general manager to senior advisor in July adds another layer to the backdrop, but the central issue remains the same: Detroit is trying to build around reliable, established talent.
If the deal goes through, DeBrincat will not just be one of the team’s key forwards. He will be one of the defining financial commitments of the era.
