Of Dylan Larkin-related note this morning:
Free Press’s Helene St. James discusses the situation surrounding disgruntled Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin today, offering this regarding his trade status and trade list:
A person within the NHL – granted anonymity because they are unauthorized to speak publicly – confirmed to the Free Press over the weekend that in addition to the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights, Larkin’s list now also includes the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars (the Wings already have talked to that organization, who’s GM, Jim Nill, has long and deep ties to the Wings) as well as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals. Basically, U.S.-based teams poised to contend for the Stanley Cup.
As the Wings finalize preparations for their 2026-27 season opener against the New York Rangers on Friday, Oct. 2 (6:30 p.m., TNT/truTV), Larkin’s trade request remains in play, even as a reconciliation continues to make the most sense.
St. James reports that Larkin has been offered at least one trade scenario despite having a no-trade clause in his contract…
It does not, and has not, prevented any NHL team from calling the Wings and proposing a trade, which, should the Wings like the offer, they could then take to Larkin’s camp. The Utah Mammoth were interested, for example, but their offer wasn’t close to what the Wings want in return for one of their top assets.
Shawn Horcoff – whose agent in his playing days, Pat Brisson, is the same agent who represents Larkin – was named interim general manager on Sept. 15, two months to the day Steve Yzerman was removed from the GM role he had held for seven-plus years and instead made a senior advisor.
And St. James states the truth regarding Christopher Ilitch’s role in any trade:
No NHL owner finds out a star player has been traded from their team by seeing an alert on their mobile phone. So even during that two-month lull between Yzerman’s departure and elevating Horcoff in interim fashion (though he had been running the daily show anyway), a Larkin trade could have happened, had there been an acceptable offer.
Continued (paywall); St. James believes the sensible option is for Larkin to reconcile and remain with the Red Wings…
But Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff argues that Larkin will ultimately be traded, one way or another:
Since [Larkin’s press conference with the media this month], it’s become public knowledge that Larkin has dramatically expanded his list of teams he’d approve a trade to, from three to eight.
That’s a quarter of the league he now sees as places he’d rather be than Detroit.
An upper-body injury conveniently kept Larkin out of the Red Wings lineup for the entire NHL preseason. He’s been back at practice for a few days. Still, there’s been no indication he’ll be ready to play in Friday’s season opener at Little Caesars Arena against the New York Rangers.
Even with an expanded trade list, Larkin must accept the likelihood that a deal may not happen quickly. At some point, he’s likely to be called upon to wear that Winged Wheel jersey again.
“I’m trying to be professional about it,” Larkin said. “I’m excited to get back on the ice and earn my teammates’ trust back on the ice, where I believe it matters the most.”
When that day comes, Larkin can also expect to earn the fans’ ire.
“I can’t really control that,” Larkin said. “They’re passionate fans. There’s frustration there. I’m frustrated as well.”
For now, he’s also still a Red Wings player. Even though it’s abundantly clear he doesn’t want to be.