Hockeytown turns its lonely eyes to the Cat. Is Alex DeBrincat going to be the next piece of the Detroit core to head for the hills?

Might DeBrincat leave the Red Wings? Sure, it could happen.

Will DeBrincat leave the Red Wings? That seems unlikely.

As long as Detroit brass is willing to pony up the cash for DeBrincat and pay him market value, expect him to stay put.

A pending UFA at the end of the upcoming season, as a three-time 40-goal scorer, there certainly would be many suitors for DeBrincat’s services.

So why would he want to stay with a team that’s most likely going to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs again in 2026-27?

For the simplest of reasons.

DeBrincat likes it here.

Red Wings Sniper is a Homebody

Coming back to Detroit meant the world to DeBrincat, and not merely to play for the Red Wings. Michigan is his home. His family is here. His parents, his children’s grandparents.

According to those who know him best, that they all get to be together is a factor he absolutely treasures.

There’s no Sheila E soundtrack playing in DeBrincat’s head. He doesn’t want to live the glamorous life.

Away from the rink, he just wants to stay home, be with his family, and embrace a simple existence.

“I love it here,” DeBrincat said at the end of the season, discussing his future. “This is my home. I’ve loved every bit of playing here.

“I think this is definitely a team I want to be a part of for a long time, and I think everyone knows that.”

Does that mean there’s absolutely no way DeBrincat would ever leave the Red Wings?

No, of course not.

‘It’s a business, so we’ll see what they want to do,” DeBrincat said.

Really, though, the Red Wings don’t have to do all that much to keep him here and keep him happy.

Just pay the man what he’s worth. Give him that respect, and you’ve got him.