September 10, 2026 • 9:02 PM EDT
Updated 5 hours ago
The Detroit Red Wings are heading into training camp facing more questions than answers. Last year’s late-season collapse lingers in the air, and the front office’s uncertainty only amplifies the buzz. With Simon Edvinsson still unsigned and captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request up in the air, there’s a sense things could go in a lot of directions for Detroit this season.
But all that noise isn’t shaking Alex DeBrincat. Even after losing his close friend Patrick Kane, DeBrincat’s taking the high road and focusing on what’s in front of him: a roster that’s mostly intact, some key new faces, and another shot to end the NHL’s longest playoff drought. That’s the kind of mindset you want to see from one of your top offensive players. According to Yahoo Sports, DeBrincat is clear-eyed about what needs to change and why it matters to Detroit’s playoff hopes.
The Red Wings have brought in Viktor Arvidsson (coming off a 25-goal season with Boston), gritty forward Keegan Kolesar, and goaltending support with Daniil Tarasov. DeBrincat isn’t pretending the Kane loss is nothing—but instead, he sees a team set to roll back most of last year’s roster, plus those new additions. In other words, Detroit is pushing for stability even while the front office simmer continues.
Here’s where things stand that should catch your eye if you’re betting futures or following the Red Wings’ odds:
- Detroit still hasn’t found a new GM after Yzerman’s departure, leaving the club without a clear architect in a critical offseason.
- Top defense prospect Simon Edvinsson is still unsigned, though he’s reportedly expected at camp—which would ease a major concern if it happens.
- Captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request is unresolved, fueling speculation on locker room stability.
- Kane—whose playmaking fueled DeBrincat’s best season—has gone back to Chicago for big money, leaving a huge hole in Detroit’s offense.
- The Red Wings finished last year outside the playoffs after another March meltdown, marking the longest active postseason drought in the NHL.
DeBrincat is looking at the situation as a reset. “I think it’s a fresh start, we can get our mindset and get confident again and learn from our mistakes last year, I think that’s the biggest thing,” he said during the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour. He isn’t sugarcoating that late-season fade: “We made too many mistakes late in the season, and it ended up costing us. But the first 60-75 percent of the season was really good; we were right at the top, but we just fell off a cliff.” For him, the lesson is simple—regain that confidence, avoid the same slip late in the year, and finish strong.
Replacing Kane’s on-ice value isn’t going to be a walk in the park. DeBrincat himself was the first Detroit player since Marian Hossa in 2008-09 to notch 40 goals—many of those with Kane’s help. But DeBrincat is quick to tip his cap to the future Hall of Famer: “I think he’s got a lot more (left) than people give him credit for. I feel like everyone thinks that he was a great player, but I think he still is. He’s still almost a point per game, the way he still controls the play and makes passes and slows it down.” That’s high praise for the man who helped push Detroit toward the brink of finally breaking their drought.
If you’re sizing up season-long Red Wings bets, keep in mind that Detroit returns most of its roster and opens training camp on September 17, with the preseason starting September 21 against Columbus. The margin for error in the East shrinks every year—the Red Wings have to show they can win the tight games come March.
Red Wings Preparing For a Critical Season
With the GM seat still empty and unresolved player contracts, it’s anything but a quiet offseason for Detroit. Yet, DeBrincat’s approach is simple: press the reset button, double down on the group’s strengths, and make last spring’s stumbles part of the past. The first weeks of training camp should offer early clues about how those priorities will shake out on the ice.
Key Developments Red Wings Bettors Should Note
- DeBrincat’s focus is firmly on team confidence and learning from last year’s late collapse
- Kane’s return to Chicago leaves a large production and leadership gap offensively
- Viktor Arvidsson (25 goals last season) is Detroit’s marquee addition for scoring depth
- The unresolved futures of Larkin and Edvinsson create uncertainty ahead of camp
- Training camp opens September 17, with critical roster and chemistry questions looming
Key Takeaways For Red Wings Fans and Bettors
- Detroit’s playoff drought is the NHL’s longest—they desperately need stability and improved late-season execution
- DeBrincat will have to drive the offense with Kane gone, so watch for changes in Detroit’s top-line chemistry
- Roster continuity and Arvidsson’s arrival may balance out the Kane loss, but keep tabs on contract resolution for Edvinsson and Larkin’s future
- The front office vacancy could still affect in-season moves or trade deadline strategies—monitor any updates closely
- Early season performance is likely to set the betting tone—if Detroit starts strong, their postseason odds could move quickly
- Consider Detroit’s track record: strong starts, late struggles—the narrative stays until they prove otherwise
- Preseason results in September may offer real clues into how the re-tooled roster fits together
- If Edvinsson joins camp and Larkin stays put, Detroit’s blue line and leadership look much safer than currently rumored
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