Lalonde: Addition of DeBrincat a Necessity For Red Wings

Too often last season, coach Derek Lalonde felt that his Detroit Red Wings were coming up a shot shy of success. He believes that the acquisition of forward Alex DeBrincat will prove to be the shot in the arm the team needs. Or perhaps more accurately, provide the shot in the net that will be making the difference between victory and defeat.

“A necessity,” Lalonde said of DeBrincat’s offseason addition from the Ottawa Senators during a recent appearance on 97.1 The Ticket. “We had a lot of really good team games last year where we did a lot of things right and a lot of things that were asked of us, and we just couldn’t put it in the net. We would find ways to lose some of those tight games.

“We need goals and that’s something he can do, so it’s a necessity for us as an addition.”

The latest addition to the @DetroitRedWings – Alex Debrincat made his way to Detroit early for some Pro Camp reps. Expect big things this year as the dynamic right winger lines up with Larkin. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/qtBJJpwS5m

— Power Edge Pro (@PEPHockey) August 31, 2023

DeBrincat was a 27-goal scorer for the Senators last season. Twice during his tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks, he would finish a season with 41 goals to his credit.

DeBrincat Where He Wants To Be

It’s been a summer of homecomings for the Red Wings. Acquired from the Montreal Canadiens, defenseman Jeff Petry is coming to play in the same town where his dad Dan Petry was gaining World Series glory as a member of the 1984 Detroit Tigers.

Like Petry, DeBrincat also hails from Farmington Hills, Michigan, where both grew up dreaming of donning the Winged Wheel jersey.

Alex Debrincat's scoring pace per season:

41g — 2019
21g — 2020
50g — 2021
41g — 2022
27g — 2023

Which version of Debrincat is Detroit getting? pic.twitter.com/h1sfNCOHNs

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) August 29, 2023

“It’s super exciting obviously,” DeBrincat said of being with the Red Wings. Growing up here and rooting for the Red Wings when I was younger, it’s definitely a dream come true.

“I do have to say I don’t anyone’s happier than my parents. It’s the whole family. Everyone’s happy. It’s a good spot for me.”

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From Lalonde’s perspective, that DeBrincat wants to be with the Red Wings is nearly as significant as what he can accomplish while in Detroit.

“I love the fact that he wanted to be here,” Lalonde said. “Very attractive piece for us.”