The Free Press’s Carlos Monarrez weighed in with his opinion regarding the Dylan Larkin situation this morning; now, the Hockey News’s Adam Proteau offers a more moderate take:
Finally, Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman spoke about Larkin’s trade request over the weekend. Yzerman confirmed that Larkin officially wants to be dealt out of town. However, the GM also said he’s acting with the best interests of the Wings in mind.
“I cannot make any guarantees, and I did not make any guarantees, that that request could or would be met,” Yzerman told reporters.
That could make things extremely awkward come training camp if Larkin hasn’t been traded. That said, we don’t expect it to get to that uncomfortable point.
The market for high-end centers is going to be robust this summer, and even if Larkin – who controls his destiny with his no-trade clause – chooses only a few teams he’d be willing to join, Yzerman still should be able to get something of consequence for Larkin’s services that keeps them competitive. It will just take some time to craft the best trade possible for the Red Wings.
You can’t have a cynic in your dressing room, and that’s what Larkin now is if he’s requesting a trade. So Detroit must find the best trade for him this summer, completely cut its ties with Larkin and try picking up the pieces as they push for a playoff spot next season.
Larkin gave it a long try in Motown, but things haven’t worked out, and there’s no longer any good reason to keep him around.
Continued with assorted topics; I’m gonna be honest here and tell you that I can’t imagine the team asking Larkin to actually show up at training camp. That would yield a nasty situation all around, and there’s no reason to add a toxic element to the team in a severely disgruntled player for the sake of punishing him. Larkin would be better off skating alone, away from the Red Wings, as he prepared for the 2026-2027 season.
