Red Wings' Dylan Larkin chooses to sit, as saga escalates: 'Dylan's had enough'

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News on Oct 29, 2026

Published in Hockey

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

DETROIT — Has Dylan Larkin actually played his last game with the Red Wings?

Possibly.

Larkin will not be in the lineup Thursday night when the Red Wings face the Chicago Blackhawks at Little Caesars Arena. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff is expected to address the situation Thursday, likely with a statement.

Larkin's agent Pat Brisson issued a statement Thursday afternoon, stating Larkin is frustrated with the pace of prospective trade talks. Larkin and his representatives are hopeful that Larkin not playing will push the Wings toward a trade.

"Dylan's had enough of the situation," Brisson stated. "We believe he's been very professional and cooperative through this process."

It's unclear whether the Wings will suspend Larkin. If he were to be suspended, Larkin would forfeit $41,237.11 each day he sits out.

Larkin didn't practice Wednesday, Oct. 28, either, but coach Todd McLellan said he was optimistic Larkin would play against Chicago, saying Larkin needed a maintenance day.

Larkin missed the first two games of this season and all of the preseason with an upper-body injury. Larkin returned Oct. 6 against Ottawa and had a goal and assist in the game, quieting loud booing directed his way at the start. Larkin also was heavily booed during introductions for the home opener Oct. 2.

The Wings stripped Larkin of his captaincy before training camp began.

Larkin asked for a trade in June, but the Wings have not been able to work out an agreeable deal with any team, not satisfied with any of the proposals they've received from the list of 10 teams that Larkin would agree to a trade (Larkin has a no-trade clause).

Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Utah, Vegas and Washington are the 10 teams Larkin would agree to a trade. But in nearly each case, no natural fit or severe salary cap restrictions are a huge obstacle.

Montreal has been a team that has aggressively pursued Larkin, despite not being on his list (no Canadian teams are). But the Wings have actively scouted the Canadiens in recent weeks, especially after Montreal fans showered Larkin with chants of "we want Larkin' at the Wings' game Oct. 10 in Montreal.

But in recent days, there's been a growing sense around the league, among scouts and analysts, that trade talks have escalated around Larkin, and for that matter, unsigned Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson.

The Wings have been adamant about acquiring an NHL center (preferably) for Larkin, along with either a prospect or draft picks, or a combination thereof. But speculation has been growing that Horcoff could be willing to have the package for Larkin more of a "futures"-based trade, involving prospects and draft picks.

Larkin, 30, has five years remaining on an eight-year contract with an annual average value of $8.7 million — a relative bargain in today's NHL given the way salaries escalated this past summer with a salary cap that's exploding upward.

Larkin has scored 30 of more goals for five consecutive seasons, and has evolved into one of the better two-way centers in the league.

On Monday in Edmonton, Larkin ended an eight-game goal scoring drought with a last-minute goal against the Oilers that forced overtime. The Wings defeated Edmonton in a shootout, in what might have been Larkin's last game as a Red Wings player.

The Edvinsson situation also continues to revolve around the Wings.

Edvinsson, 23, must sign an NHL contract before Dec. 1, or he will not be eligible to play this season. Edvinsson took part in training camp as an apparent goodwill gesture, but no contract was reached, and Edvinsson returned to Sweden.

Edvinsson left Sweden Oct. 13, arriving in the Boston area to work with trainers affiliated with his representatives, while awaiting a new contract or trade.

Horcoff, Edvinsson and Edvinsson's representation have met more than once, but there hasn't been a resolution.

Trade speculation around Edvinsson also has increased in recent days, with St. Louis, San Jose, Boston and Carolina among teams — likely many more — who would be interested. San Jose would be an intriguing option, given the Sharks have several high-end forwards who could entice the Wings to make a trade.