The ascent & a lazy goalscorer demanding a trade to Detroit: Alex DeBrincat
Before anyone jumps down my throat, please hear me out.
I don’t think this guy is lazy, and I don’t think anyone can really be that lazy and play in the NHL.
However, it was speculated that Alex DeBrincat was lazy.
This storyline came from a quote from his media availability when he joined the Detroit Red Wings in the middle of the previous offseason.
Rocking the slick Detroit Pistons hat (the retro teal) in the video, he seemed stoked to play for his hometown team. The feeling was mutual for us fans.
DeBrincat spoke some choice words:
Detroit Red Wings newcomer Alex DeBrincat on regaining his 40-goal form after admitting that "I think last year I gave up a lot of chances, maybe got lazy on it or whatever it may be." https://t.co/sE5qAhWvxf via @freep
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) September 23, 2023
Maybe it is truly laziness, as that’s the specific word choice of DeBrincat.
When I watched him play all season, though, I didn’t see a lazy player. Instead, I saw someone who tried a bit too hard. He wanted to do too much. It’s quite the contrary of a lazy player, in my opinion.
In doing these things, he gripped his stick too tight, put too much weight on his own shoulders, and struggled to find the back of the net.
Up until a certain player signed with the Detroit Red Wings, DeBrincat lit the ice on fire. He was everything that I hoped he would be and more.
Then, it was almost a complete 180. DeBrincat’s effort didn’t wane, but his effectiveness came under fire from both fans and outsiders alike.
To me, DeBrincat kept getting chances, so I had no worries about him last season (I also have no worries about him this upcoming season). If he wasn’t getting opportunities, wasn’t moving his feet, or he was making the same mistakes without reprimand, I would be concerned.
I can hear a discussion about how his impact on the scoresheet needs to improve, but I always want more goals from every player so he’s not alone.
What’s more wild than anything to me is that he chose to come to Detroit, Michigan.
Granted, his family is close to Detroit and it’s his hometown team, but the Detroit Red Wings couldn’t have been the only team interested in a high-end goalscorer. I’m not sure of any other possible landing spots for DeBrincat, however, I tend to think he had better options in terms of winning, a better contract, or a nicer lifestyle (weather, tax breaks, subjectively nicer cities, etc.).
The fact that he chose the Detroit Red Wings amazes me. If Määttä was the turning point, where things kind of started moving in the upward trend, DeBrincat is the step in the right direction.
He made sure that, in doing his part, the Detroit Red Wings didn’t regress.
Yes, he has to improve, as does the rest of the team. I suspect he drowns out the concerns from fans and then some. If he gets reliable, consistent linemates and continues to build his confidence, I think he’ll turn heads for all of the right reasons.
DeBrincat choosing the Detroit Red Wings also brought in another piece to this vast puzzle.