After a nightmare offseason that saw Dylan Larkin request a trade, the Detroit Red Wings are having an ugly start to the 2026-27 campaign.
At the time of this writing, the Red Wings have a 1-2-0 record after losses to the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets. This is certainly not how the Red Wings wanted to start their season after how the summer went. In fact, things have only been getting worse for Detroit off the ice, as restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson would also prefer to be traded.
Due to this, Larkin and Edvinsson are both Red Wings to keep an eye on in trade talks from here. Yet, the most interesting player on the Red Wings to watch this season is undoubtedly Alex DeBrincat.
There is no question that the 2026-27 season is an incredibly important one for DeBrincat. The star sniper is in the final season of his contract and is a pending unrestricted free agent. As a result, questions about DeBrincat's future with the Red Wings will keep coming up unless he signs an extension during the season.
DeBrincat has expressed clear interest in staying with the Red Wings. However, until a contract is finalized, he will continue to create chatter as a potential trade candidate to watch.
Furthermore, DeBrincat will undoubtedly be looking to have another fantastic season for the Red Wings. If he can put up the same kind of numbers as last season (41 goals and 85 points in 82 games), it will improve his chances of landing a big payday in his next deal. This remains true whether he re-signs with the Red Wings or signs elsewhere next summer.
With this, there are several reasons why DeBrincat is one of the NHL's most interesting players to watch this season.
DeBrincat will be looking to heat up for the Red Wings after slow start
DeBrincat has had a quiet start to the 2026-27 season with the Red Wings. In two games so far, he has yet to score a goal but has recorded an assist. Yet, with the season being so young, there is no reason to panic about DeBrincat's slow offensive start to the campaign.
It should only be a matter of time before DeBrincat gets his offense going again. Keep in mind, he has recorded at least 66 points in each of the last five seasons. Due to this, don't be surprised if the 2016 second-round pick heats up in a major way once he shakes off the early-season rust.
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