ALEX DEBRINCAT, DETROIT RED WINGS
e rebuilding Red Wings picked up one of the most intriguing players available on the offseason trade market when they sent a conditional 2024 firstround pick, Dominik Kubalik, Donovan Sebrango, and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Ottawa Senators for the high-end sniper DeBrincat.
e deal brings the suburban Detroit native home to play for the club he grew up rooting for.
“is is a dream come true to play for this team and put on that jersey,” he said during a media availability.“My parents are probably the most excited of anyone that they’ll get to have me around for the whole year.”
e 25-year-old winger has scored more than 50 points in each of his six NHL campaigns, including 27 goals and 66 points in his lone season with the Sens. Solid numbers, but the Wings – and the hobby – are hoping he can return to the form that twice saw him top the 40-goal mark, including 41 in 2021-22 with Chicago.
DeBrincat says he likes what he sees of these new-look Wings.
“ey have that veteran presence along with a lot of young guys coming up,” he said.“Hopefully in a couple years we’ll have a chance to be a real contender.”
Helping return Detroit to its former glory won’t happen overnight, but it could coincide with the prime of DeBrincat’s career. He’ll get every chance to return to form with an expected role on the top line and the first power play alongside fleet-footed center Dylan Larkin. at could have a significant impact on his hobby presence. He built up a solid following when he played with the Hawks, with demand focusing on his 2017-18 Upper Deck #221, e Cup #172, and, more recently, SP Authentic #147. But when Chicago went into teardown mode, DeBrincat was swapped to the Sens. As that team struggled out of the gate and ultimately failed to make the playoffs, the move put a chill on his hobby presence.
DeBrincat collector Jake Weatherton sees better days ahead for his hero’s cards.
“While Ottawa is a strong hobby market, it doesn’t match the size or intensity of a Red Wings collector base that extends far beyond the larger Metro Detroit area,” he said. “When that team is doing well, it can drive card values by itself.”
He suggests collectors keep an eye on DeBrincat’s 2017-18 Black Diamond #BDRAD RC.“I think the short supply of those cards has been overlooked,”Weatherton said.“ere are just 99 copies and just five of those are in Gem Mint slabs. I think it’s a sleeper.”