Red Wings Close In on Seven-Year Extension With Alex DeBrincat

The Red Wings may have lost on the ice Tuesday, but it appears they have picked up a massive win for the organization in a different way. News is surfacing that the organization and star forward Alex DeBrincat are close to signing a contract extension. This would be the first big deal completed by interim GM Shawn Horcoff.

According to NHL insiders Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston, Detroit and forward Alex DeBrincat are nearing a seven-year contract extension. The reports landed minutes apart Tuesday night, shortly after the Red Wings fell 5-4 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils. DeBrincat scored twice in the game.

Despite Detroit’s tough 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey, there appears to be an important off-ice victory for the Red Wings. 

Word is team and Alex DeBrincat closing in on approximately 7 x $13M extension

They needed some good news and are about to get it.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 14, 2026

Friedman put the average annual value at roughly $13 million, while Johnston said the total was expected to land around $90 million (a $12.857 AAV). The team has not made anything official, though an announcement could come Tuesday night or early Wednesday.

DeBrincat is in the final season of a four-year, $31.5 million deal that carries a $7.875 million cap hit. Without a new contract, he would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027. Pierre LeBrun added, “We’re not even batting an eye now at $13M AAV. It’s a whole new world. Great time to be an NHL player. Suddenly Kaprizov at $17M doesn’t seem so crazy!”

DeBrincat Staying in Detroit

He has never hidden where he wants to be. “My intention is obviously to stay in Detroit,” he has told reporters. The Farmington Hills native grew up cheering for the Red Wings and has talked about wanting to help bring back the team’s glory days.

The timing helps a franchise facing some uncertainty. Dylan Larkin has been the subject of trade chatter, and Simon Edvinsson’s contract talks have reportedly been difficult, though Detroit would like to keep him as well.

DeBrincat’s price might have climbed had he reached the market. He just posted career highs with 41 goals, 44 assists and 85 points, and contenders likely would have called before the trade deadline. With the salary cap still rising, a deal north of $13 million was possible in free agency.

Instead, Detroit appears to have locked up a key scorer for the long term, possibly at a modest discount.

Next: Breakthrough on the Contract Front Between Edvinsson and the Red Wings?