Six teams linked to Detroit's goal-scoring forward suddenly on the market including two Canadian clubs

David Pagnotta reports that teams have reached out to Detroit about Alex DeBrincat, with the Oilers among six clubs that could have interest in the 28-year-old winger.

DeBrincat posted 41 goals and 85 points last season while carrying a $7.875M cap hit. He becomes extension-eligible on July 1, meaning any team that acquires him is betting on a long-term commitment, not a rental.

Stan Bowman's Oilers are squeezed, with Darnell Nurse's situation unresolved and a starting goaltender still to be found.

Adding DeBrincat's salary means clearing significant cap space before even picking up the phone on a trade.

The talent case beside Connor McDavid is obvious - a genuine 40-goal sniper next to the best playmaker in the world is the finisher Edmonton has chased for years.

The financial reality is where the pursuit gets complicated.

Steve Yzerman is not in a rush here. A six-team market that includes Chicago, Toronto, New Jersey, Seattle, and Buffalo gives him the luxury of waiting for exactly the return he wants.

A cap-strapped team like Edmonton cannot match the asset packages that rebuilding clubs are able to spend.

Bowman would need to clear room and outbid that competition simultaneously, which is two significant problems stacked on top of each other.

Under Mike Babcock, the Oilers will want forwards who can play within structure, and DeBrincat's 40-goal game fits any system at the NHL level.

But wanting a player and being able to afford him long-term are entirely different conversations in the summer of 2026.