Larkin benched as Red Wings trade talk grows
Detroit coach Todd McLellan confirmed the former captain will sit out Thursday, with GM Shawn Horcoff expected to discuss the move.
By Grace Almasi ·
Detroit Red Wings captaincy and future are colliding as the team sidelines star center Dylan Larkin for Thursday night's game against Chicago. Coach Todd McLellan informed reporters that Larkin will not play, noting that interim general manager Shawn Horcoff is expected to address the decision publicly.
The benching follows Larkin's offseason request for a trade after the franchise extended its postseason drought to ten years. He began the season with Detroit but lost the captaincy. At 30, the Waterford, Michigan native has recorded two goals and six assists in ten games this season.
Larkin's career totals now stand at 278 goals and 649 points in 818 games since his 2015-16 debut. Drafted 15th overall by Detroit in 2014 after his time at the University of Michigan, he also contributed to the United States Olympic gold medal team in Milan Cortina last February.
The former captain returns to action after missing two games with an upper-body injury. He scored in his season debut against Ottawa despite being booed on his first shift. He added another goal on Monday night in a win at Edmonton.
Contract details remain a central factor in the potential transaction. Larkin holds a full no-trade clause in an eight-year deal with five years left. His annual salary cap hit is $8.7 million. He initially agreed to trades to Florida, Minnesota, and Vegas, though reports suggest he has since expanded his list of acceptable destinations.
Team management faces other roster challenges alongside the Larkin situation. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains an unsigned restricted free agent nearly a month into the season. The 23-year-old Swede produced nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last year and holds 19 career goals and 60 points in 175 games. Detroit selected him sixth overall in 2021.
The Red Wings recently added depth by signing Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year contract worth $13 million per season. The two-time All-Star joined the roster two weeks ago as the team sought offensive production.
Source: The Macomb Daily
