New report reveals Alex DeBrincat played a role in Steve Yzerman's Red Wings exit

Alex DeBrincat wants a big new deal in Detroit, and the price tag might be the biggest hurdle to a long term future with the Red Wings.

According to insider David Pagnotta, when the earliest extension talks took place, DeBrincat's camp brought forward a number that made the front office pause.

Steve Yzerman was still running Detroit's hockey operations then, and the ask reportedly exceeded what ownership expected to pay.

A lot has changed since those first talks.

Yzerman stepped away from the GM chair in July, shifting into a senior advisor role, and assistant GM Shawn Horcoff has been steering day to day business while the Red Wings search for their next head of hockey operations.

That shakeup adds uncertainty to where DeBrincat's contract talks go from here.

DeBrincat is coming off his best season in Detroit, posting 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points, both career highs.

He is entering the final year of his current deal, which carries a $7.875 million cap hit, and hits unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2027 if nothing gets done first.

For a franchise still chasing its first playoff berth in over a decade, locking up one of its most productive scorers feels important.

But with no permanent GM in place and captain Dylan Larkin reportedly wanting out, Detroit has plenty on its plate before DeBrincat's number becomes the top priority again.

Whoever takes over as the Wings next GM will inherit this negotiation, along with the Larkin situation and a fan base growing impatient.

DeBrincat has said publicly he wants to stay in Detroit, so the door remains open.

It might just take a new voice in the front office to get the number both sides can live with.

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