Detroit Wings Suspend Dylan Larkin Without Pay After His Decision to Sit While Awaiting Trade
Detroit suspends its former captain
The dispute escalated Thursday after Larkin informed Detroit he would no longer play for the team until it fulfilled his trade request. The Red Wings responded by suspending him without pay.
Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said the club was disappointed, citing Larkin’s responsibilities to the organization and his teammates. Horcoff said Detroit would continue considering trade opportunities, subject to Larkin’s approval and the team’s interests.
Larkin’s agent, Pat Brisson, said his client had reached his limit with the situation. Brisson described Larkin as professional and cooperative during the process.
Trade pressure and team turmoil
Initial speculation suggested Detroit might be keeping Larkin out to protect him ahead of a near-term deal. Reports, including one from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, said that was not necessarily the case; Larkin was instead seeking to pressure the team to move faster.
The dispute follows years of frustration over Detroit’s failure to reach the playoffs, a streak that has lasted 10 consecutive seasons. Former general manager Steve Yzerman was moved to another front-office role in mid-July.
Larkin lost the captaincy, missed part of training camp and sat out the first two regular-season games with an apparent injury. He was booed at the home opener and in his first game back.
Trade options and competing interests
The story says the reported number was significantly smaller when Larkin first made his trade request, but does not identify what that number referred to. It also says Vegas, Florida, Carolina and Colorado may have little need for him because of their depth.
Vegas, Florida and Colorado reportedly have few trade assets likely to interest Detroit. Any potential deal would also need to meet Horcoff’s stated requirement that it support the Red Wings’ long-term goals.
Larkin signed an eight-year contract with Detroit in 2023, when the team’s rebuild was already facing doubts. The article says he wants to play for a winner, having not reached the playoffs since his rookie season.
Performance and responsibility
The account also criticizes Larkin’s part in the team’s struggles. It says Detroit has wilted late in several seasons, including a major collapse in the most recent season.
In his past 39 games, Larkin scored four even-strength goals. His salary-cap number is $8.7 million, which the article says adds to questions about his performance and the conflict he has created.
Detroit also faces uncertainty over its general manager and unsigned defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who reportedly would prefer a trade. The story presents the club and Larkin as both contributing to a difficult situation.
Key points
- Detroit suspended Dylan Larkin without pay after he said he would not play while awaiting a trade.
- Agent Pat Brisson said Larkin had had enough but had remained professional and cooperative.
- Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said Detroit would keep exploring trades that meet the club’s goals.
- The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons.