Larkin Requests Trade From Detroit, Citing Playoff Failures

Larkin Requests Trade From Detroit, Citing Playoff Failures

Dylan Larkin has asked the Detroit Red Wings for a trade, according to a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman citing multiple sources. The 29-year-old center and team captain is said to be motivated by Detroit’s sustained absence from the playoffs and a strained relationship with general manager Steve Yzerman. Neither Larkin, his agent, nor Yzerman had commented publicly at the time of the report.

Detroit selected Larkin with the 15th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, and he has gone on to record 643 points in 808 regular-season games for the franchise. He carries a cap hit of $8.7 million per season, per Puck Pedia, and is under contract through 2031. Critically, Larkin holds a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons, meaning any deal would require his approval.

The Red Wings have not qualified for the playoffs since 2016, ending one of the longest postseason streaks in North American professional sports when that run concluded. Detroit appeared to be within reach of a postseason berth late in the most recent regular season but ultimately fell short. Larkin also featured for the United States at the Four Nations Face-off and was part of the American team that won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, underlining his standing as one of the more coveted players available if a trade does materialise.

Because Larkin controls where he goes via the no-trade clause, any transaction depends on his willingness to approve a destination. Teams pursuing a top-line center under long-term contract would likely need to assemble a substantial return package, and Detroit’s leverage in negotiations will partly reflect how quickly the two sides agree on terms.