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Towards the end of last season, it looked like the Detroit Red Wings might have a chance to sneak into the postseason for the first time since 2016, but they fell short.
And as if that wasn’t bad enough, it’s now being reported that their captain, Dylan Larkin of Detroit, wants out.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the 29-year-old has asked the team for a trade, citing the team’s repeated playoff misses and a less than stellar relationship with Red Wings GM and franchise legend Steve Yzerman.
A report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Larkin claims that Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade. (Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
None of the parties involved — Larkin, his agent or Yzerman — have commented since Friedman made his report, which cites “multiple sources.”
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But if it’s accurate… brace yourself, kids.
Larkin was drafted by the Red Wings with the No. 15 pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and has since recorded 643 points in 808 games.
Dylan Larkin was drafted by the Red Wings in 2014 (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
He’s a top-line center with an $8.7 million cap hit, according to Puck Pedia, and won’t be a free agent until 2031. All of which should make him a trade target for most teams in the league.
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On top of that, Larkin has been playing well lately, not just with the Red Wings, but Team USA as well. He was part of the Four Nations Face-off team last year, as well as this year’s gold medal winning Olympic team.
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Dylan Larkin was part of the gold medal-winning 2026 US men’s Olympic hockey team. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Larkin has a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons, meaning he would have to approve any deal made during that time frame.
While this is probably the last thing the Red Wings want to hear, there may be an upside.
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You don’t want to rush a deal, but the sooner you get it done, the more they can ask for, and Larkin is likely going to command a serious move.
Of course, you never want it to come to this, but this could be the reset the team needs to get back to the postseason.
