This summer has been more difficult than anticipated for the Detroit Red Wings. Given how their 2025–2026 season ended, this turn of events shouldn’t come as a surprise. Until April, the last month, the team held a playoff spot in the standings every month, but they ultimately failed to advance to the postseason.
Steve Yzerman’s departure from the general manager position is the main event in what has been a difficult offseason following this dismal season finish. Many players’ futures with this squad are uncertain, especially in light of captain Dylan Larkin’s request to be moved by the organization.
Alex DeBrincat is entering a contract year.
Alex DeBrincat is another player for the Red Wings who may not remain with the organization. The Michigan native, 28, is coming off a career season in which he scored 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points in 82 games. Even if he is qualified to be extended this year, the top forward is entering a contract year and will need one at the conclusion of this season. With Patrick Kane, his long-term running mate, leaving for the Chicago Blackhawks, there is some worry about whether DeBrincat will remain in Detroit.
For Red Wings supporters, the good news is that it seems more probable than not that he will stay with the club. Regarding DeBrincat on NHL Tonight, Detroit insider Bob Duff stated: “I believe he’ll lean toward staying here… if the Wings are prepared to pay him market value, and I think they are.” After chatting with DeBrincat, Duff said he felt that he was interested in re-signing with Detroit: “From speaking with Alex at the conclusion of the season, he wants to be here, he’s from Michigan…he enjoys having his family nearby.”
DeBrincat should expect a substantial salary increase on his next contract, relative to his existing $7.875 million agreement. He has consistently produced offensively during his three years in Detroit. Especially if Larkin is traded as anticipated, the club cannot afford to lose him. DeBrincat’s asking price should not be met with any reluctance.
The Red Wings’ course is hazy.
As the 2026-2027 season draws near, the Red Wings are a team that is hard to predict. It is unclear if this team intends to fight for a playoff berth or enter a rebuild. This is a question that probably won’t be answered until the team hires a new general manager and the Larkin issue is resolved.
However, the wildcard gap has widened, suggesting that Detroit is not far from contention based on DeBrincat’s tenure with the team and the results of the previous three seasons. They missed the playoffs by five points in 2024–2025 and six points this past season. The 2023-2024 season was the most painful, as the team missed out due to having fewer regulation victories despite tying the Washington Capitals in points.
In general, this team has been knocking on the postseason door for the past few seasons. Yet as the season progresses and the games grow more vital, they continuously lose the ball. This would imply the need for a retooling. The new GM’s approach to this squad will determine everything.
