Bleacher Report’s Joe Yerdon examines 10 notable players who might become unrestricted free agents at this time next summer, and two of his more prominent players are Red Wings players. Yerdon includes both 41-goal-scorer Alex DeBrincat…
Alex DeBrincat, Detroit Red Wings
While a few of the players we’re discussing here very likely won’t make it to free agency, we can’t really say that about Detroit’s Alex DeBrincat.
The seemingly awkward spot the Red Wings are in with Dylan Larkin’s trade request comes at a tough time with DeBrincat entering a contract season. It would be difficult for the Michigan native DeBrincat to commit to staying in Detroit if their leader and top player goes elsewhere. That is, of course, if DeBrincat stays in Detroit himself.
DeBrincat’s ability to score goals would be in high demand on the open market as well as his ability to contribute to the power play. At 29 years old, he’d be in prime position to cash in well and after seeing other players around that age already score big contracts, it wouldn’t be any different for him. After scoring 41 goals this season, another 40-goal season would make him one of the jewels on the free agent market next summer.
And Yerdon notes that goaltender John Gibson will be a free agent next summer, too:
John Gibson, Detroit Red Wings
The goaltending market next summer could get really interesting and while goalies don’t usually get a lot of attention (unless your name is Sergei Bobrovsky anyway), the possibility of John Gibson getting there would be enough to make teams in need take notice.
Gibson showed last season with Detroit how good he can be when he’s healthy. His performance for the Red Wings confirmed why they traded for him even though the season finished without the postseason again. In December and January, Gibson went 17-4-1 with a .923 save percentage and three shutouts. While the end of the season cooled off for him and the rest of the team, that kind of play showed he can get the job done.
Goaltending is always in need by teams and landing a veteran like Gibson to solidify a tandem or trio would be a solid piece of work for any team. If things in Detroit get dicey this season, he’s someone that could find himself back in the trade market as well.
Continued; FWIW, I don’t believe that the Red Wings will trade DeBrincat as part of a heavy rebuild of the roster, nor do I see the Wings abandoning Gibson to tank outright.
