Red Wings' DeBrincat Joins Elite 40-Goal Club

The winger becomes first Detroit player to reach the milestone since 2008-09.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:36pm

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In a standout performance on Thursday night, Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat became the first player on the team to score 40 goals in a single season since Marian Gaborik did it in 2008-09. DeBrincat, who the Red Wings acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators, has quickly emerged as one of Detroit's most important offensive weapons.

Why it matters

DeBrincat's 40-goal campaign puts him in elite company, as only 16 players in Red Wings history have reached that scoring milestone. The feat cements his status as one of the franchise's top modern goal scorers, joining all-time greats like Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, and Henrik Zetterberg.

The details

In just three full seasons with the Red Wings, the 25-year-old DeBrincat has already scored 107 goals, good for 45th on the franchise's all-time list. His goals-per-game rate is the 9th highest in Red Wings history, ahead of legends like Dino Ciccarelli and Brett Hull.

  • On Thursday, April 13, 2026, DeBrincat scored his 40th goal of the season.
  • Marian Gaborik was the last Red Wings player to score 40 goals in a season, accomplishing the feat in 2008-09.

The players

Alex DeBrincat

A 25-year-old forward for the Detroit Red Wings who was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators and has emerged as one of the team's top goal scorers.

Marian Gaborik

A former NHL player who last scored 40 goals in a season for the Detroit Red Wings in 2008-09.

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What’s next

DeBrincat is under contract with the Red Wings for one more season after this one, and the team is expected to work on extending him this summer to keep him in Detroit long-term.

The takeaway

DeBrincat's 40-goal season cements his status as one of the Red Wings' top modern goal scorers, joining an elite club of just 16 players in franchise history to reach that milestone. If he continues his torrid pace, DeBrincat could climb the all-time goals list and become one of the greatest goal scorers in Red Wings history.