The Hockey Writers’ Tony Wolak is already projecting the Red Wings’ 2026-2027 regular season lineup, or two opening-night lineups, anyway. Tony suggests that the Red Wings may have to make the uncomfortable decision to retain Dylan Larkin’s services if they don’t find a suitable trade for the disgruntled captain:
I know what you’re thinking. Yes, there’s still a chance Larkin is part of the organization when the 2026-27 season kicks off.
Will it be awkward? Yes. Will Larkin want to be there? Probably not.
That said, he’s under contract with the Red Wings. Unless Larkin is traded before the campaign begins, he has a contractual obligation to show up for training camp as he normally would. Failure to do so would be a breach of contract, likely resulting in the team suspending him without pay.
All of this to say, Larkin is Detroit’s 1C until he isn’t. And, for now, I have Emmitt Finnie and Lucas Raymond joining him on the top line.
Wolak’s Larkin-included lineup is very realistic, with Viktor Arvidsson stepping into Patrick Kane’s spot on the second line, Carter Mazur and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard earning regular roster spots up front…
And he has William Wallinder (whose waiver-exempt status expires this fall) and Jacob Bernard-Docker battling for the #7 and #8 spots on the Wings’ defense.
Wolak also includes a Larkin-free lineup, minus any present-day player return, and it’s a little cringey in terms of the team’s depth at center, or the lack thereof.
I’m nodding my head at his conclusion as well:
Overall, Detroit’s offseason has already started to reshape the roster, but the lineup still feels more like a working draft than a finished product. Whether it’s a Kane reunion, additional moves from Yzerman, or a resolution to the Larkin situation, the Red Wings’ opening night lineup could still look significantly different by the time the puck drops.
Between the resolution of the Patrick Kane situation (which may involve rectifying Larkin’s situation, given that Dylan Larkin and Kane have the same agent in Pat Brisson), the Larkin trade, and some free agent signings to round out the lineup with scoring, speed and/or physicality, there is no doubt that the Wings’ lineup is a work in progress for now.
Kudos to Wolak for projecting a very solid lineup. I always like Tony’s work.
