Of Alex DeBrincat-related note this morning:
- The Free Press’s Helene St. James discusses Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat’s desire to remain in Detroit this morning. St. James notes that DeBrincat understands why negotiations with the Wings have been drawn out over the course of the summer…
DeBrincat, 28, is in line to receive a significant raise on the $7.88 million annual average value he carries right now, given his status as a 40-goal scorer. He’s been eligible for an extension since July 1, but two weeks after that the Wings parted ways with Steve Yzerman as general manager, and it took until Sept. 15 – two days before the start of camp – to name Shawn Horcoff interim.
“I think we kind of, once it all happened, we kind of knew the lowdown,” DeBrincat said. “It wasn’t something I think probably either sides wanted to do without anyone there. But we’ll see what happens here. I think we’ll leave the business side to them and my agent.”
But DeBrincat’s bottom line is fairly simple:
“I love playing here,” he said, “but I think all that is kind of put to the side right now. I’m focused on the season, focused on getting the new systems and all that stuff, meeting the new guys and just playing well.
“I take a lot of pride playing for the Red Wings, putting that jersey on every night. I think all of us in this room take a lot of pride in that and the history that comes with it. There’s so much respect behind that crest. I definitely want to be part of the solution here and get back to the glory days.”
2. Detroit Hockey Now’s Max Smith also discusses DeBrincat and his role as a leader in terms of generating offense for the team:
Last year, DeBrincat found himself becoming a landmark player for the Red Wings, becoming the first player in over a decade to cross the 40-goal and 80-point mark with the team. But getting to the point of being the team’s top producer requires being disciplined physically and mentally.
DeBrincat’s proven that he can match the two on ice to lead the team, and knows what it takes to play at that top level.
“I mean, I think a lot of things; I think just confidence. I think continuing with that consistent, night in, night out, ability to hunt pucks and get pucks back,” said DeBrincat, “And, you know, keep shooting the puck.”
DeBrincat is going to be Detroit’s number one option for offense most nights, especially with former captain and presumptive top line center Dylan Larkin currently sidelined by injury.
“The management team and the organization sat with Dylan, and they dealt with it[the captaincy], and Dylan’s dealt with it,” McLellan said. “So now what does that do? It doesn’t give us a leadership void; it opens the door for many others to step up.”
…
While DeBrincat can certainly lead the team in goal scoring and with his attitude, the simple fact of the matter is that he can’t win games by himself. There are 22 other players on the roster, and usually nine other players patrolling the ice at a given time.
“Us older guys have to really help them,” DeBrincat said. “Give them confidence. I think that’s a big part in this league is confidence. And if we can make this as open and as safe a space as we can, and really get them to feel comfortable, I think we’ll have a lot of success here.”
