September is here, and for Red Wings fans, it’s kicking off with a vibe that’s more ‘bleak’ than ‘bright.’ With training camp just weeks away, the team is still without a General Manager, and the massive question mark hanging over Dylan Larkin’s future is just getting bigger. This isn’t just about one player, it’s about a franchise stuck in neutral when they should be gearing up for battle.
No GM, No Decisions: Larkin’s Future in Limbo
Let’s get real, the Larkin situation is a mess. Reports that he requested a trade out of Detroit surfaced in early June, which had to be a gut punch for the faithful. The guy still has five years left on his contract, rocking an $8.7 million AAV cap hit. That kind of deal usually makes him a hot commodity, but here we are, no trade, no movement. Why? Because there’s no GM to pull the trigger on anything. With the front office seat still empty, it’s almost impossible to see a deal getting done before training camp starts on September 17. This GM vacuum isn’t just holding up a potential Larkin trade or reconciliation; it’s also keeping Simon Edvinsson’s contract in limbo. How are you supposed to build for the future when you can’t even make basic hockey decisions?
Seider and DeBrincat Offer the Only Real Spark
Amidst all the darkness, there are a few flashes of light that keep Detroit fans from completely throwing in the towel. Moritz Seider, the big German, is still absolutely relentless. He led the team last season with a +15 plus/minus and an insane 180 blocked shots, showing zero signs of slowing down his push to be one of the league’s elite defensemen. His quote during the European Player Media Tour says it all: “I want to establish myself as a guy that people are not happy to see on the ice. I think that’s one of the biggest compliments you could get is that people are not happy to see you, in a good way.” That’s the kind of attitude you build around. Then there’s Alex DeBrincat. He’s eligible for a contract extension this season and will be an unrestricted free agent at the season’s conclusion, but despite his linemate Patrick Kane being gone, NHL insider Bob Duff got the scoop: “From talking to Alex at the end of the season, he wants to be here; he’s from Michigan…he likes having his family close.” DeBrincat put up a career-high 85 points in 82 games last season, and that kind of production is pure gold. And don’t sleep on Lucas Raymond, another player hitting a career-high in points last season and getting named in the Top 20 Wingers in the NHL. The kid just knows puck.
Camp Is Coming: Who’s Showing Up?
So, what does all this mean for training camp? Yeah, there’s a real chance we won’t see Larkin on the ice. We might not even have a GM by then. But Seider, DeBrincat, and Raymond are all suiting up, ready to go. On top of that, everyone will get a fresh look at promising prospects like Trey Augustine, Carter Bear, and the Plante brothers. Yeah, the cloud of Larkin and the GM search is gonna hang heavy, no doubt. But with those guys hitting the ice, there’s still enough to get hyped for when camp officially kicks off on September 17. Let’s just hope Detroit sorts out that front office chaos before then.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply