The Detroit Red Wings entered the offseason bracing for a period of profound transition. Following a turbulent summer characterized by significant front office changes and a shocking trade request from franchise centerpiece and captain Dylan Larkin, the atmosphere surrounding the historic organization was far from comfortable. For a player who cherishes wearing the Winged Wheel, navigating the emotional fallout could have proven to be a daunting challenge. Yet, star sniper and Michigan native Alex DeBrincat is deliberately choosing to focus on the positives, maintaining an unwavering belief that the franchise is poised to make amends for its recent shortcomings.
Speaking recently with Michael Traikos of The Hockey News during the NHL Player Media Tour, DeBrincat opened up about the state of the team as it prepares for the rigors of a new campaign. Entering the final year of a lucrative contract that carries an average annual value of $7.8 million, the dynamic forward made it clear that despite the turbulence of the past few months, his faith in Detroit’s trajectory remains completely unshaken.
"It’s like anything, you don’t really like change, and it feels uncomfortable for a bit, but at this time, I think we’re all just excited to get back," DeBrincat told The Hockey News.
The offseason certainly brought its share of structural adjustments and roster shifts. Notably, the team must move forward without Patrick Kane, a fixture of the locker room whose departure leaves a distinct void in offensive creativity and veteran leadership. However, DeBrincat believes that strategic new additions will mitigate that loss, leaving the core composition of the roster largely intact relative to last year. From his perspective, dwelling on the past serves little purpose, especially given the unpredictable nature of early-season momentum. Instead, he views the upcoming campaign as an absolute clean slate.
"Kaner’s gone, but we got a couple additions that are really going to help us out," DeBrincat explained. "So going into the year, we’re looking essentially the same as we were last year, and I don’t know if much momentum carries over anyways, honestly. So I think it’s a fresh start."
To understand DeBrincat’s optimism, one must look back at the overarching narrative of Detroit’s 2025-26 season. For the vast majority of the campaign, the Red Wings played a brand of hockey that suggested the organization was finally on the verge of snapping its frustrating nine-year Stanley Cup playoff drought. For months, the club held a secure position in the competitive Eastern Conference picture, playing with the poise and confidence of a rising powerhouse.
However, the narrative dramatically fractured when the games mattered most. A catastrophic late-season collapse saw the team stumble down the stretch, evaporating months of hard work and dashing playoff hopes in the final weeks of the schedule. It was a bitter pill to swallow for a fan base starved of postseason hockey, and it left the players searching for answers.
Rather than running from the disappointment, DeBrincat confronts the reality of how the season unraveled. He acknowledges the disastrous finish and views it as an invaluable, albeit painful, teaching moment. The overarching goal for the locker room now is to channel that collective frustration into tangible improvement, ensuring history does not repeat itself.
"We can get our minds set and get confident again and learn from our mistakes last year," DeBrincat said. "I think that’s really the biggest thing. We made too many mistakes late in the season, and it ended up costing us. But the first 60, 75 percent of the season was really good. We were right at the top there, and we just, you know, fell off a cliff. So try to get back that confidence side of the game and hopefully not go through that same lull."
Complicating the team’s summer narrative further was the high-profile trade request submitted by Larkin. The sudden development sent shockwaves through the organization and ignited intense speculation across the hockey world regarding the captain’s future in Motown. For DeBrincat, watching a close friend and trusted leader seek a way out was undeniably difficult, but it has done nothing to diminish his respect for Larkin’s contributions on and off the ice.
"Yeah, I mean, it sucks," DeBrincat admitted when asked about Larkin’s trade demand. "I think it doesn’t really change what we think of him. He’s still a great player. He’s been a great friend and a great teammate to me, and we obviously love him here. That’s kind of for him to answer what’s next for him. But for us, I think it’s all the same. We’re happy to see him at the rink and happy to get started."
DeBrincat speaks on this delicate situation with a unique perspective, having navigated his own high-stakes organizational departure in the past. During the summer of 2023, following just a single season with the Ottawa Senators, DeBrincat made it explicitly known that he would not sign a long-term contract extension with the Canadian franchise. The situation ultimately led to a trade that brought the restricted free agent home to Detroit, fulfilling a personal desire to play in his home state.
Drawing from that personal chapter, DeBrincat understands that professional hockey is a business driven by complex personal and familial considerations. He recognizes that public friction is often an unavoidable byproduct when a player decides to pivot away from a market, but he firmly believes that individuals must prioritize their long-term well-being and career alignment.
"There’s so many different things that go into it," DeBrincat noted. "Everyone’s got their own things going on, and you have to do what’s best for you at that time. And for family reasons, for hockey reasons, there’s so many things that go into it. So it’s just a feeling that maybe it’s not the best fit. I’m speaking for myself here. Ottawa was just not the best fit for me. And I think going into that, we gave it our best chance and our best try. We were very open to the situation and ended up just not working out."
While Larkin has inevitably absorbed a wave of public backlash from disappointed supporters—much like DeBrincat experienced during his exit from Ottawa—the veteran forward maintains that the temporary discomfort of fan frustration is vastly preferable to the prolonged misery of remaining in an untenable situation. In his view, professional athletes must navigate these crossroads by trusting their instincts and seeking an environment where they can thrive.
"The backlash is a part of it, but you can block it out," DeBrincat said. "I think you want to do anything for your family to make yourself happier. You’re not just going to sit somewhere you’re not happy with for X amount of years just because you don’t want to get hated on by that fanbase. You know, there’s another fanbase that will love you."
As the puck drops on the 2026-27 NHL season, DeBrincat shares the universal desire of every elite competitor: a burning ambition to be part of a winning culture. However, achieving that goal will require navigating the treacherous waters of the Atlantic Division, a grouping widely recognized as one of the most competitive and unforgiving landscapes in professional hockey. Securing a postseason berth will undoubtedly demand a monumental effort and an uphill battle for the Red Wings.
Yet, despite the formidable challenges that lie ahead, DeBrincat remains steadfast in his conviction that the Red Wings are far closer to contending than outside observers might assume. If his assessment proves accurate, it could mark the long-awaited turning point for a franchise striving to reclaim its historical status as one of the gold standards of the National Hockey League.
Furthermore, even as he plays out the final year of his current contract, DeBrincat’s remarks strongly suggest that his long-term future rests in Detroit. Far from signaling an impending departure, his commitment to the organization’s culture and heritage shines through in his everyday outlook.
"Winning is very important to me," DeBrincat said. "I’ve said it all along. I love it here. Overall, I love the guys. I love the team. That’s something that we all take tremendous pride in is putting that jersey on every night, and the history that goes into it. I think we’re closer than people give us credit for. And hopefully this year shows that."