Late last season, the Detroit Red Wings appeared to have a chance to make their first postseason appearance since 2016. Unfortunately, they fell short. Now, reports indicate that their captain, Dylan Larkin, wants to leave the team.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Larkin, a Detroit native, has asked the team for a trade. The reasons for this are the team’s repeated playoff misses and a strained relationship with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman.
A report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claims that Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade. (Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
As of now, none of the involved parties — Larkin, his agent, or Yzerman — have commented on Friedman’s report, which cites multiple sources.
Larkin was selected by the Red Wings as the No. 15 pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he has recorded 643 points in 808 games. His performance makes him a premier center and a valuable asset for any team.
Dylan Larkin was drafted by the Red Wings in 2014 (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
With a cap hit of $8.7 million according to Puck Pedia, Larkin won’t become a free agent until 2031. His contract status makes him an attractive trade candidate for many teams.
Moreover, Larkin has performed admirably not only for the Red Wings but also for Team USA. He played in the Four Nations Face-off last year and was part of the gold medal-winning Olympic team this year.
Dylan Larkin was part of the gold medal-winning 2026 US Men’s Olympic hockey team. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Larkin’s contract includes a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons. This means he must approve any trade within that period.
Although this situation is not ideal for the Red Wings, it might lead to a positive outcome. A carefully negotiated trade could bring significant value to the team.
The Red Wings must proceed wisely, but acting quickly could enable them to demand more in a trade deal. While it’s not the situation they wanted, it could offer a fresh start to propel them back into the postseason.