DeBrincat’s Respect Will Come in Big Payday

Those who doubt five-foot-eight Alex DeBrincat’s ability have never been in short supply. In his NHL draft year, DeBrincat boasted first round talent but lasted until the Chicago Blackhawks claimed him in the second round.

Too many scouts considered him too small.

The Michigan native was leading in the Ontario Hockey League in scoring a few months later, but was cut from the U.S. squad for the World Junior Championships.

The summer after he reached the 40-goal mark in the NHL for the first time, the Blackhawks traded him to Ottawa.

DeBrincat has three 40-plus goal seasons now but didn’t receive any love from the U.S. Olympic team.

This week, the NHL Network didn’t have the league’s No. 11 goal scorer on its ranking of top 20 wingers.

The feisty winger enjoys plenty of respect in Detroit’s dressing room but doesn’t have the support when it comes to comparing the top forwards in the game.

“I would put my money on Alex DeBrincat,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said about his top scorer.

McLellan likes the competitiveness, durability and shot that comes with the DeBrincat package. This is a man who can handle heavy hitting.

He has played every game in each of the past five seasons. Obviously, NHL Network selectors didn’t appreciate those attributes as much as McLellan does, never mind the fact he was 19th in the league’s points race last season.

Lucas Raymond was 20th on the NHL Network list and that seems low as well. But it wouldn’t be hard to for most NHL fans to find someone in the No. 14-19 range to remove to add DeBrincat and his 26 even-strength goals from last season.

The small player always has something to prove, but it seems like the statute of limitations should be expired on DeBrincat’s need to prove his lack of size doesn’t matter. He has 294 goals in nine NHL seasons.

That’s 32.6 goals per season. Those 294 goals are more than close friend Patrick Kane showed in nine seasons.

It’s the exact number of goals that another fellow American, Keith Tkachuk, had after his first nine seasons. Both players scored 500 goals.

Both are Hockey Hall of Famer.

DeBrincat undeniably takes pride in how he does his job. Doubting Thomases have likely fueled him along the way.

But he would probably tell you as long as the Red Wings take care of him on his next contract is the only respect he needs. DeBrincat can be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Based on his production he deserves to be paid like Kyle Connor and Jason Robertson. That means the Detroit’s new Director of Hockey of Operations will have to pay him at least $12 million per season on a long-term deal.