What Happened
Dylan Larkin was loudly booed by Detroit Red Wings fans at Little Caesars Arena before Friday's home opener. He was introduced on the video board with other players not dressing for the game, gave a small wave, and left the bench before his teammates were introduced. The reaction follows his spring trade request after a 10th straight season without a playoff berth, the team stripping him of the captaincy before training camp, and his placement on injured reserve Friday with an upper-body injury.
Key Details
- Larkin requested a trade in the spring after Detroit missed the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.
- Then-GM Steve Yzerman did not complete a trade and was removed from his post in mid-July.
- Shawn Horcoff became interim general manager in mid-September; no permanent replacement has been named.
- Detroit removed the captaincy from Larkin before training camp.
- Larkin missed all pre-season games with an upper-body injury and went on injured reserve Friday.
- Larkin has been skating in practice; Horcoff offered little update on trade talks Friday.
What It Means
The reception at Little Caesars Arena shows the fracture between Larkin and the fan base has not eased since his trade request. Detroit is operating without a permanent general manager, with Horcoff in an interim role, while its former captain remains on the roster but unavailable to play. Larkin has acknowledged the consequences of asking out as captain, and the club has not resolved his status.
What's Next
Larkin remains on injured reserve while skating in practice, and his trade request is unresolved. Horcoff, working as interim general manager, said Friday he had little new information on trade discussions. Detroit continues its season without a permanent general manager.