MLive’s Ansar Khan wonders whether disgruntled Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin “underestimated the Red Wings’ resolve” this morning.
Khan questions whether Larkin understood that the Red Wings feel no pressure to trade their unhappy captain for anything less than equal value, which means that Larkin may not be traded before training camp–and that Larkin may have to end up playing for Detroit this fall:
The Red Wings’ next GM would be foolish to simply get rid of him for the best offer if they can’t get fair-market value. That return ideally would consist of a top-line center – but no team is going to relinquish a top-line center unless it’s another case of a disgruntled player wanting out. And no team on Larkin’s list has such a player.
So, unless the new GM is willing to settle for futures — not a good way to start his tenure — or Larkin expands his list of teams, this saga might drag on much longer.
If any pressure is mounting as camp approaches Sept. 17-20 at Little Caesars Arena, it’s on Larkin.
The Red Wings don’t have to do anything. It’s Larkin’s call. Show up to camp, explain why you want out, relinquish the captaincy, start playing and see where this leads. Maybe a trade becomes available during the season. Maybe player and club fully reconcile and he’s here for the duration.
It would be a circus atmosphere. Fans would boo – though there’s a segment that also lauds him for saying enough is enough after 10 consecutive non-playoff seasons.
Or Larkin could hold out, get suspended without pay – perhaps for months – and make the situation even worse for everyone involved.
Continued (paywall); we’re less than a month away from training camp, and a lot can happen between now and the preseason.
