Dylan Larkin, 30 years old, isn’t just sidelined with an upper body injury that kept him off the ice for the start of training camp. He’s no longer the Detroit Red Wings captain, a ‘C’ stripped from him earlier this month, and he still doesn’t know where he’ll be playing this season after a trade request went public during the offseason. Despite all that, ESPN’s NHL writer Greg Wyshynski just dropped a bold prediction: Larkin is staying in Detroit.
The Mess That Is Dylan Larkin’s Offseason
This whole situation is a brutal look for Detroit, who will open the 2026-27 season without a captain. Larkin’s been through the grind with them too. He made the playoffs only once in his entire career, his rookie year in 2015-16. The Red Wings haven’t sniffed the postseason since then. Even last season, he still managed 34 goals and 33 assists, with a plus-3 rating in 74 games played. But now he’s hurt from off-ice training, and interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has no timeline for his return, only hoping to see him back at some point during the preseason.
Why The Trade Request Is Hitting A Wall
So, why is Wyshynski so confident Larkin is sticking around? He really dug deep. When Larkin first met with reporters after his trade request went public, he wasn’t exactly forthcoming. He wouldn’t get into details about any “ill feelings” towards the organization, or if former general manager Steve Yzerman’s departure this summer might have mended any fences. Crucially, he also refused to detail his list of preferred destinations. And therein lies the rub, according to Wyshynski: unless Larkin’s list of desired teams gets bigger, or Detroit’s expected return for him shrinks, he’s going to be skating for the Red Wings. Wyshynski’s prediction is that both sides just grit their teeth, honor the contract, and Larkin plays the entire season in Detroit. Why? Because the Red Wings are simply a better team with Larkin in the middle than without him, and they know it. Plus, this isn’t some short-term headache. Larkin still has four years remaining on the eight-year, $69.6 million deal he signed in March 2023. That contract carries an annual cap hit of $8.7 million and runs all the way through the 2030-31 season. That’s a long-term commitment.
Get ready, because if Larkin does hit the ice in a Red Wings sweater this season, it’s going to be undeniably awkward. Wyshynski predicts boos from the fans and uncomfortable questions from reporters, at least at the start. As the games go on, one thing remains clear: Detroit is a better team with him there. It’s going to be one wild, uncomfortable ride in Detroit.
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