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It has been a little over a month since Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin shocked the organization by requesting a trade from the team that drafted him 15th overall in 2014 and later named him the 37th captain in franchise history. General manager Steve Yzerman acknowledged Larkin’s trade request during his media availability after the NHL Draft in late June but offered limited details. Since then, neither Larkin nor his representatives have publicly commented on the situation.
Yzerman, meanwhile, has yet to find an offer he deems satisfactory in return for Larkin, and for now the center remains on the Wings’ roster. That said, there remains a real possibility that Larkin will need to prepare to participate in training camp when the team reconvenes in September. The Hockey News’ Detroit Red Wings coverage will keep you connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features as this situation evolves.
In his remarks about the matter, Yzerman emphasized that Larkin still has five years left on his contract, implying that the expectation is for him to honor that commitment if a trade does not materialize. “Dylan has five years remaining on his contract,” Yzerman said on June 27. “My job as the manager of the Detroit Red Wings is always to do what is in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings, and I will act accordingly to that.” A recent Detroit Free Press report by Helene St. James indicates that Larkin’s list of three preferred trade destinations has not grown, further limiting Yzerman’s options.
Steve Yzerman confirms Dylan Larkin’s trade request, but stresses that the outcome remains far from certain. While the Wings’ general manager has acknowledged the trade request, he also made clear there is no guarantee that it will be granted, which could complicate any potential deal—especially if Yzerman prefers NHL-ready players rather than futures packages. There remains a possibility that the two sides could reconcile, much like the situation with Zach Werenski and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
There’s no doubt the Red Wings are stronger with Larkin on the ice. Trading him for something less than NHL-ready talent of comparable value would deal a significant blow to their already slim chances of reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season. If Larkin does not broaden his acceptable trade destinations, he may have little choice but to report to training camp in the fall and wear the Winged Wheel once again.
Stay tuned for more updates as this develop, and check the Detroit Red Wings’ team site for ongoing news, in-depth game coverage, and feature profiles on Larkin and the rest of the roster.