Red Wings Captain Dylan Larkin Makes Detroit Future Clear After Latest Report

Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings early in the summer, and reportedly, changes to the front office haven't effected that decision just yet.

Dylan Larkin, captain of the Detroit Red Wings / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Detroit Red Wings have been building for years under Steve Yzerman, and with the addition of Alex DeBrincat to their top-six in 2023, the organization believed that they were on the verge of a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Unfortunately, three seasons later, their post-season drought has now stretched out to 10 years, and with very few additions this summer, it appears as though frustrations have continued to mount among the playing group.

For no one is that more true than captain and Michigan native Dylan Larkin, and after spending the entirety of his career with his hometown team, he requested a trade earlier this off-season, naming the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild as teams he'd accept a deal too.

Dylan Larkin's Trade Request Stands

Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

However, when GM Steve Yzerman departed his role, there was a belief that Larkin's mind may be changed, given that there was reported tension between he and the Red Wings legend in the front office.

That gave Red Wings fans who wanted their captain to stay in Detroit for his entire career hope, but that hope has since been extinguished, with Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press now reporting that Larkin has not budged on his trade request despite the front office change.

Will the Red Wings Trade Dylan Larkin Before the 2026/27 Season?

Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Despite Larkin remaining insistent on his trade request, that doesn't mean the Red Wings have to make a deal happen, and given that Larkin still has five seasons remaining on his current contract with an $8.7 million average annual value, the team may want to keep him around.

This situation and its resolution will depend entirely on who takes over, but if they want to do right by their long-time star, a trade would still be the ideal resolution for the player.

On paper, Larkin is a very valuable asset, and if the team could shop him around, the return would likely be much more appealing to the new front office, but with a full no-trade clause in his contract until the end of 2027 (where it becomes a 10-team no-trade list), the veteran will dictate his next destination.

As of right now, there's no resolution in sight for Larkin and this situation. The team continues to exercise patience in hiring a new front office. When they take over, the first thing they should prioritize is Larkin's future in Detroit.