Should the Red Wings trade Alex DeBrincat if they miss the playoffs? Should the Canucks peddle Jake DeBrusk this summer? Which potential free agents should the Maple Leafs target this summer? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: On Friday, Elliotte Friedman was asked about Alex DeBrincat’s future with the Detroit Red Wings if they miss the playoffs again.
The 28-year-old winger has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7.875 million. He’s eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1.
Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat (NHL Images).
Friedman doesn’t rule anything out, but he doesn’t see the Red Wings moving DeBrincat if they decide that it’s time to shake things up. He’s a reliable goal scorer, tallying 39 this season, and players like that are difficult to replace.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are DeBrincat’s hometown team. He was thrilled to join them three years ago and has been among their best players. Despite the Wings’ difficulties, he could prefer to stay.
What could raise questions about DeBrincat’s future in Detroit is how much he’ll seek on his next contract and for how long. He’s poised to reach the 40-goal plateau for the third time in his nine-year NHL career, and the first time doing it as a Red Wing.
DeBrincat could seek a seven-term extension worth over $11 million annually. The Wings have the cap space beyond next season to do so, but they must also ensure they have sufficient cap flexibility to re-sign players or add others to their roster.
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma wondered what the Vancouver Canucks would do with Jake DeBrusk.
The streaky 29-year-old winger is under contract for five more years with an affordable AAV of $5.5 million.
On the one hand, DeBrusk might benefit from a change of scenery after enduring long goalless streaks with the struggling Canucks. He would have value in this summer’s trade market.
However, trading DeBrusk would leave the Canucks trying to replace his offense. In that case, Kuzma pondered whether they would part with draft picks to bring in a younger scorer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: On March 3, DeBrusk told reporters that he’s not interested in being part of a roster rebuild. It was rumored that the Canucks were willing to retain part of his salary to facilitate a trade, but they reportedly didn’t get any trade calls about him.
DeBrusk might want out, but the Canucks might have a difficult time moving him. That might change during the offseason as teams in need of scoring depth go shopping for help this summer.
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes the Maple Leafs should look to free agency this summer if they have any hope of competing next season. He believes they should try to sign Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh and Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment honcho Keith Pelley last week said the Maple Leafs would retool the roster rather than rebuild. Whoever becomes general manager will likely explore free agency to bolster the roster for next season.
Whether Raddysh or Tuch will be available remains to be seen. Both could sign extensions with their current clubs before July 1. If they are available, the Maple Leafs could have difficulty winning a bidding war for their services.