At the season's quarter mark, Alex DeBrincat is the highest scoring NHLer on a new team, and J.T. Compher is also in the top five
The summer of 2023 was a busy one for the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit made significant moves to re-vamp its depth at all three positions groups, acquiring forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders to attempt to solidify its NHL line-up.
Nov 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) is congratulated at the bench after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Garden. Out of all those acquisitions, none came with more fanfare (and, by extension, expectations) than winger Alex DeBrincat. The 25-year-old winger, acquired via trade from the Ottawa Senators, arrived in Detroit with a clear-cut objective: Score goals.
As the regular season inches toward its quarter-mark, DeBrincat's acquisition looks like an unqualified success. DeBrincat is first among players on new teams for the '23-24 season in goals (with 12) and points (with 20).
Meanwhile, J.T. Compher—who was brought in from the Colorado Avalanche via free agency more for his defensive prowess than his scoring touch—is also in the top five in scoring among NHL players on a new team in '23-24 with 17 (four goals and 13 assists).
Erik Karlsson (who was traded from the San Jose Sharks to the Pittsburgh Penguins), Ryan O'Reilly (who finished the '22-23 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, then signed with the Nashville Predators in free agency), and Tyler Toffoli (who was traded from the Calgary Flames to the New Jersey Devils) are all tied for second in the category with 18.