Dylan Larkin’s situation with the Red Wings appears to be moving toward a standstill on the ice and a race to the trade market off it.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Larkin will not suit up for Detroit again until the team trades him, and the Red Wings are expected to issue a statement on the matter. The report follows a messy stretch that began when Larkin asked for a trade early in the NHL offseason and no deal came together. He still reported to training camp, but the relationship has been visibly strained since then.
Detroit already made one major move in response by stripping Larkin of the captaincy. Then came the home opener, where fans loudly booed him during introductions.
Larkin had previously been linked to a limited group of teams he would accept in a trade. Reports said the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers were among the clubs he would consider.
Now, Red Wings reporter Helene St. James says that list has grown to 10 teams.
No Canadian teams are on it, and the Michigan native is said to want a landing spot with a realistic shot at a Stanley Cup.
Larkin is in his 12th season with the Red Wings and has logged two goals and four assists through the first 10 games of the year. With trade conversations now reportedly intensifying, Detroit has reason to be careful about protecting one of its biggest assets from injury before a deal is completed.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic added another layer to the story, reporting that Larkin believes he has given the organization “ample” time to find a trade partner. LeBrun said there were talks in the last 24 hours between Larkin’s camp and the Red Wings, both on Wednesday night and again Thursday morning, and that the message from Larkin’s agents was that he has waited since his trade request in May for the team to get something done.
LeBrun also reported that both sides agreed to this approach and that the Red Wings will circle back on possible trade partners.
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