Right wing Alex DeBrincat and the Detroit Red Wings are finalizing a seven-year contract extension, worth $13 million annually, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
DeBrincat, 28, was eligible for an extension this summer. Had the deal been signed before the new collective bargaining agreement kicked in last month, DeBrincat could have signed for eight years. Now, seven years is the maximum.
The deal is considered a massive win for Detroit interim general manager Shawn Horcoff, who has been given authority by ownership to execute deals. Horcoff is also dealing with a pending trade request from former captain Dylan Larkin, and also needs to find a solution for defenseman Simon Edvisson, who remains unsigned as a restricted free agent, and is away from the team.
News of DeBrincat's deal broke not long after the Red Wings fell, 5-4, at home to the New Jersey Devils in the opening game of the NHL's Frozen Frenzy. DeBrincat had two goals and an assist in the loss, and now has a team-high eight points on the season.
With the loss, Detroit, stuck in last place in the Atlantic Division, is just 1-3-2 and has had to endure a tough few weeks. In the season opener on Oct. 2, after being placed on injured reserve, Larkin was booed loudly during pregame festivities. During that game, a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers, some disenchanted fans chanted "Sell the team!", directing their venom at owner and CEO Chris Ilitch.
Perhaps the DeBrincat deal will cool the situation in Detroit. Now in his 10th season, he has 296 goals and 600 points, and has played a full 82-game season the past five years.
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski contributed to this report.