The Red Wings are receiving calls on winger Alex DeBrincat, reports David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period (video link). It’s not certain that the 28-year-old is even being made available but with Dylan Larkin’s trade request, it appears as if teams are kicking the tires to see if GM Steve Yzerman wants to take Detroit into at least a small rebuild. DeBrincat is coming off his third career 41-goal season while his 44 assists and 85 points were career highs. He has one year left on his contract with a $7.875MM AAV, a price tag that a lot of teams would be able to afford on their books at the moment. If the Red Wings decide that they want to move him, it’s fair to say there will be a strong market for his services.
More from the Atlantic:
- Maple Leafs GM John Chayka met with the media today (video link) in advance of Friday’s opening round of the draft. He indicated that the team has decided who the top pick will be while adding that they’ve held discussions with every other team holding a top-ten selection. Clearly, Toronto is interested in adding a second top-ten selection to the mix with Chayka going as far as calling it a “compelling option”.
- Also from Chayka’s presser, he was asked about blueliner Morgan Rielly. The veteran has been in recent trade speculation, going as far as giving the team a shortlist of teams he’d be okay being dealt to. However, Chayka indicated that he doesn’t think the Maple Leafs will be moving him as things stand although discussions remain ongoing. Rielly had 11 goals and 25 assists in 78 games this season and has four years left on his contract at a $7.5MM price tag.
- The Canadiens are among several teams that have made a pitch to acquire Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko, reports Sportsnet’s Eric Engels. However, it should be noted that Columbus isn’t believed to be shopping Marchenko or even making him available at this point; Pierre LeBrun relayed on the latest TSN Insider Trading segment that Montreal’s overture for Marchenko was quickly rebuffed. Marchenko had 67 points in 76 games this season and has one year left on his contract at a very team-friendly $3.85MM AAV before being a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.
