"For Sure": Alex DeBrincat Says Red Wings Have Pieces In Place For Postseason Run

While the Detroit Red Wings ultimately missed out on qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, one of the positives that they took with them into the offseason was the return to form of goal-scoring forward Alex DeBrincat. 

The Farmington Hills, Mich. native tallied 39 goals for the Red Wings in the 2024-25 NHL season, his highest output since reaching 41 goals while a member of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22. It was also 12 goals higher than his output of 27 in his first season wearing the Winged Wheel. 

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Earlier this week, DeBrincat participated in the 17th Annual Ilitch Charities Celebrity Golf Classic, and spent a few minutes chatting with hosts Jim Costa and Jon Jansen of The Costa & Jansen w/ Heather Show on 97.1 The Ticket, and was asked right off the bat how much of an adjustment period it will take thanks to the multiple new faces on the roster acquired by GM Steve Yzerman. 

"Not that long, I think that a lot of the bonding that we do in Traverse City off the ice helps it progress and make it a lot easier," he said. "It's nice going up there to get to know the new guys, and as a new player, it's nice to get to know the team. It's a great time up there, and it really makes us closer."

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DeBrincat and the Red Wings have been in prime position to further solidify a spot in the Wild Card postseason race in each of the last two seasons coming into the month of March, only to suffer prolonged losing streaks that all but officially sealed their fate. 

"I think there's a lot of things that happen at that time of year, we obviously weren't playing well, but that's history," DeBrincat said of Detroit's March struggles. "We gotta figure out a way why in the last two years, we've had a lull in that March time frame….us as players have to find a way to power through that and not get such a setback. There are going to be setbacks during the year, but we have to find a way to minimize them and not let them last." 

Among the multiple new additions to the Red Wings roster coming into this season include goaltender John Gibson, forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, and defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic and Ian Mitchell. 

Red Wings Add Blue Line Depth With Signing of Travis Hamonic Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has already signed defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell so far this offseason, but another new name has been added to Detroit's blue line. 

Does DeBrincat believe that the team, as currently constructed, can bring playoff hockey to Little Caesars Arena for the first time? 

"For sure," he said with no hesitation. "We got a couple guys that are coming in that should really help us, and it'll be fun to start the year and see what everyone's made of and go from there. You can't make the playoffs in the first month, but it will definitely help if you have a good start." 

Following their 13-17-4 start last season, Yzerman decided to change direction, parting ways with head coach Derek Lalonde and assistant coach Bob Boughner. In their place, he hired former Stanley Cup–winning assistant coach Todd McLellan, along with assistant coach Trent Yawney.

After the coaching change, the Red Wings went 26-18-4 under McLellan, highlighted by a pair of seven-game win streaks. Over a full 82-game schedule, that pace would have been enough to secure a postseason berth.

DeBrincat believes the Red Wings will benefit from having McLellan lead a full training camp as he begins his first full season as head coach.

"It will be good and it will be hard," DeBrincat said of he's anticipating from McLellan in Training Camp. "It will be very attention to detail oriented. In Todd's game, details are really big, and just the work ethic – he requires you to give it your all on every shift, and tthat's something that will be instilled on Day 1." 

DeBrincat, McLellan and the Red Wings will officially begin Training Camp in Traverse City, Mich. on September 18, followed by the annual Red & White Game (moved to Grand Rapids this year). 

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