Dylan Larkin will report to Red Wings training camp next week, even though he requested a trade during the offseason, and Detroit just dropped a bombshell: the 30-year-old forward is no longer their captain. This move leaves his long-term future with the franchise seriously uncertain, and it feels like the drama is just getting started.
The “C” Is Gone and So Is the GM
It’s official, the 2026-27 season is kicking off with no captain for Detroit. This whole mess started after Larkin reportedly asked the organization to trade him. Why? Well, the Red Wings have failed to qualify for the playoffs for a staggering 10th consecutive season. Talk about a brutal stretch! Here’s the kicker though: Larkin holds a full no-move clause on his contract, which still has five years left at an average annual value of $8.7 million. He apparently even gave Detroit a limited list of teams he’d accept a move to, including the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers. He’s got the leverage, doesn’t he?
And if that wasn’t enough chaos, general manager Steve Yzerman was relieved of his duties amid reported tension between him and Larkin. Yeah, the GM is gone! Detroit hasn’t even appointed a new general manager yet, which just piles another layer of uncertainty on a franchise that already feels like it’s floating aimlessly. What’s even happening in the front office right now?
Still Producing, Still Struggling
Despite all this turmoil, Larkin remains one of Detroit’s most important players. Last season, he put up 34 goals and recorded 67 points in 74 games. That’s high-level production for a team that can’t seem to figure out how to get back into postseason contention. He even helped the United States snag Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics back in February. This guy has spent all 11 seasons of his NHL career with Detroit, but he’s only seen the playoffs once, playing in five games during the 2015-16 season and scoring just one goal. Imagine that kind of career with one team and so little playoff action. You can almost feel the frustration building.
The Red Wings are opening training camp at Little Caesars Arena on September 17. Their regular-season opener is slated for October 2 at home against the New York Rangers. For now, Dylan Larkin is still a Red Wing, but with the captaincy stripped and a trade request still hanging in the air, whether he stays beyond the start of the season is one of the NHL’s biggest unanswered questions. This is going to be a wild start to the season for Detroit, no doubt.
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.
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