The 2026/27 season for the Detroit Red Wings was meant to be a bad one, but after a chaotic off-season that saw them accomplish very little, they've actually started rather well, posting a 5-4-3 record through their first 12 games. However, there's been some major storylines hanging over this team since the summer, and after their latest game, it appears as though everything is now coming to a head.
In the summer, Dylan Larkin made his trade request from the Red Wings public, but given his no-trade clause, he holds plenty of power, as he listed three teams he would accept a trade to; Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild. Obviously, that hamstrings Detroit's front office in a big way, and given that they were searching for a new General Manager at the time, it should come as no surprise that a deal didn't get done.
When the season began and a deal still hadn't gotten done, Larkin reported to the team and has even appeared in 10 of their 12 games this season, with the home crowd making their feelings known towards him on opening night as he sat out. In those 10 games, Larkin has posted 2 goals and 6 points, but now, we officially will not see him in a Red Wings jersey ever again, as it was confirmed that he would be sitting out until a trade happens, with his agent having this to say;
“Dylan’s had enough of the situation. We believe he’s been very professional and cooperative through this process.”
Clearly the veteran center is frustrated that he's still in Detroit, and while he opened up the list of teams he'd accept a deal to significantly, there's still been no movement on a potential trade in recent times.
According to reports, the Minnesota Wild are the team pushing hardest to acquire Larkin, as they believe he could be the answer to their 1C role as they look to establish themselves as genuine Stanley Cup contenders in 2026/27. As of right now, no deal has gotten done, and shortly after Larkin's statement on his future in Detroit, the team officially suspended him without pay.
In their statement, the Red Wings confirm that they're disappointed in how this has been handled, with interim GM Shawn Horcoff confirming that that trade talks are ongoing and they are working to find the right deal for their former captain.
Ultimately, the timeline on a Larkin deal getting done is unclear, as the Red Wings clearly aren't in a rush to take a deal they don't love, but with this latest move being made official, it's only a matter of time until the Michigan native finds a new home in the National Hockey League.