As good as he is, Alex DeBrincat doesn't get enough credit.
Last night, Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat cemented his lead in team scoring with a three assist night, tallying up his season high of 69 points in 68 games. DeBrincat is now just nine points away from tying his career high of 78 points, a feat he achieved with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22.
DeBrincat is currently on a 39 goal, 83-point pace. He leads the team in both goals and is second in team assists behind Lucas Raymond. He's having the best season he's had in five years. Yet, despite this, it doesn't feel like his performance on the ice is highlighted enough.
Today, however, we'll give the Cat his flowers.
How DeBrincat helps the Red Wings
DeBrincat is, above all else, a goal-scorer. His laser focus and quick ability to get into position lend him to open lanes and grade-A chances. At times, he'll float effortlessly past defenders on the ice and make it look easy. Right now, the Red Wings are looking for key players to step up. Recently, DeBrincat has been that answer. He has at least a point in his last four games, totaling six in the last five.
Scoring isn't the only name of DeBrincat's game. He's just as prolific of a passer. Last night's game against the Calgary Flames saw DeBrincat at his best, pocketing three assists on a 5-2 rout at home. It seems like every game we see a new trick, whether it's a smart defensive play or a beauty of a pass.
The most underrated part of DeBrincat's game
You don't hear enough about how skilled DeBrincat is with puck management. He's got this tenacity to his game that drives his opposition insane. When the other team on the move, he's the first one there to cause them trouble. When a teammate makes a hiccup in the offensive zone, he can scoop the puck back up without much of a hassle. The Red Wings are going to need all the help they can get moving forward from the roster.
Best of all, he isn't afraid to back down when things get physical.
Perhaps DeBrincat isn't overlooked; it's that he's quietly underrated. The "core" moniker of this roster is often denoted to players Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. It's hard to see why DeBrincat shouldn't be included in that conversation. In two seasons, DeBrincat will be up for an extension. He'll be 30, and he'll likely be due for a pay raise over his current salary of $7.875M per year.
If general manager Steve Yzerman wants to create a consistent contender - one that can play meaningful games night in and night out - DeBrincat should be part of this core's nucleus. He's easily the best shot on the team and complements any line he's deployed on. The team, simply put, is better with him on the ice.