What Happened
Detroit Red Wings centre Dylan Larkin will miss the team's first two games of the regular season as he recovers from an upper-body injury, head coach Todd McLellan told reporters Thursday. McLellan said he hopes Larkin can return for Game 3 on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Larkin, 30, arrived at training camp with the injury and sat out all of Detroit's preseason games. The Red Wings open the season Friday against the New York Rangers.
Key Details
- Larkin, 30, did not appear in any Red Wings preseason games after reporting to camp with the injury.
- He requested a trade in the offseason and was stripped of the captaincy before camp.
- Five seasons remain on his eight-year, $69.6-million deal signed in 2023, which carries a full no-movement clause.
- Larkin initially named Minnesota, Florida, Vegas and Carolina as acceptable destinations, and has reportedly expanded the list to eight teams.
- He ranks 10th in franchise history with 643 points.
What It Means
Larkin's absence leaves Detroit without its top centre for the opening two games while his trade request remains unresolved. The injury and the expanded destination list add uncertainty to a situation that could reshape the Red Wings' forward group, and his return timeline will affect how quickly any trade talks can move forward.
What's Next
Detroit opens Friday against the New York Rangers and plays its second game before a possible Larkin return Tuesday against Ottawa. Trade discussions could continue in the meantime, with Larkin's reported list now at eight teams.