While it may seem like doom and gloom on social media, for the players on the Detroit Red Wings, things are a little different.
“I know everyone in that room has immense pride in putting on that jersey and playing for the Detroit Red Wings,” said DeBrincat in an NHLPA interview last week. “From the outside looking in, I could see how you think it’s maybe doom and gloom, but in the locker room, everyone’s excited to go and ready to play and ready to show people what we’re made of, and I think a lot of people are probably doubting us this year."
It's a good thing to hear the team's leading scorer speak so positively about a team in turmoil. Now, obviously, it should go without saying that DeBrincat wouldn't say anything negative if things were bad. But even then you often have players or front office figures dropping ominous hints. In several of DeBrincat's interviews, he has yet to so much as imply there's chaos.
DeBrincat brings optimistic angle to tumultuous Red Wings
When asked about the elephant in the room by The Athletic, DeBrincat was candid. “I think we have a majority of our team coming back. Obviously, (Patrick Kane’s) gone, but we got a couple of additions that are really going to help us out. So going into the year, we’re looking essentially the same as we were last year. … I think it’s a fresh start. We can get our minds set and get confident again and learn from our mistakes last year.”
Despite the obvious pall hanging over the organization, DeBrincat isn't wrong. Sure, Patrick Kane isn't on the roster anymore, but the team brought in Viktor Arvidsson and Keegan Kolesar to bolster the forwards. Arvidsson, scoring 54 points in 69 games, produced at a near-identical clip to Kane. Kolesar bolsters a bottom-six unit in dire need of change. On the back end, Danila Tarasov provides a little extra relief for John Gibson, able to take on a heavier workload than Cam Talbot did last season.
DeBrincat focused on the path ahead
“It sucks,” he added when pressed about Larkin further. “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.”
This is now the second time DeBrincat has shared his thoughts on the Larkin situation, keeping his comments consistent with what he's said in the past. Rather than dwell on Larkin's request - and the tough spot it's put the team in - DeBrincat wants to focus on what lies ahead. Sooner or later, there will come a time where Larkin leaves this organization. When that day comes, we'll likely have more clarity.
For now, it's a matter of waiting to see how the team performs.
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