The Hockey News’s Carol Schram posted a list of players who she believes will “bounce back” from difficult 2022-2023 campaigns, and she suggests that the Red Wings’ newest acquisition will step up his production:
Alex DeBrincat, Detroit Red Wings
Plenty of ink has been spilled about the Ottawa Senators’ disappointing return on their one-year investment in Alex DeBrincat. But when a player’s down year delivers 27 goals and 66 points, Red Wings fans should be excited about what the 25-year-old could bring now that he’s in his preferred situation.
The native of Farmington Hills, Mich., should be embraced by the fan base from the outset. And with an opportunity to slot straight onto Detroit’s top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond and get time on the Wings’ No. 1 power-play unit, DeBrincat could hit new highs in ice time while rebounding from last season’s unusually low shooting percentage of 10.6 percent. His career average is 14.4.
By next spring, expect to see DeBrincat back in the 40-goal range while the Red Wings make a push to get back into the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
Continued; I’m a little more conservative, thinking that DeBrincat will score about 35, but that’s just me.
