Dylan Larkin scores in Red Wings return while his trade request is still open

Dylan Larkin played his first game of the season for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and scored in a 5-3 home win over the Ottawa Senators, months after his request to be traded became public in June. The 30-year-old center was activated from injured reserve just before warmups, finished with a goal and an assist in 20:41 of ice time, and heard both boos and cheers from the Little Caesars Arena crowd, according to ESPN.

Why did Dylan Larkin ask for a trade?

Larkin requested a trade three years into the eight-year, $69.6 million contract he signed in March 2023. ESPN reported tension between the player and Detroit's management at the time. The Red Wings have not made the playoffs since 2016, Larkin's rookie season, which is now the longest active drought in the NHL. He has reached the postseason only once in 11 seasons.

The front office has changed since. Steve Yzerman stepped down as general manager in July and Shawn Horcoff took over on an interim basis.

Where can Larkin be traded?

His contract includes a no-trade clause, which gives him control over the destination. ESPN reported that his first list had only three teams:

No club has confirmed talks, and Detroit has not said whether it intends to move him. On the first day of training camp, Horcoff told the Red Wings' website that the conversations with Larkin had been good, that the team appreciated his honesty, and that it would keep the details private and take things day by day.

What has the trade request cost Larkin in Detroit?

The Red Wings decided to start the 2026-27 season without a captain after several talks with team leaders, removing the "C" from Larkin. He accepted the decision in public, saying that asking for a trade as captain has consequences. He was also booed when introduced in street clothes at the home opener, where some fans taped over his name with words like "Traitor."

He missed the first games with an upper-body injury that, he told the club's website, happened while training in the gym.

How did his return go?

It started badly: Ottawa's Tim Stützle scored off the rush on Larkin's first shift. Later in the opening period, Larkin put Detroit ahead, and the same crowd that had booed him cheered. Coach Todd McLellan said after the game he was not sure the Red Wings win without him. Larkin skated on his usual line with Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond, and teammates DeBrincat and Moritz Seider both spoke in support of him before the game.

Larkin was drafted 15th overall by Detroit in 2014 and ranks 10th in franchise history with 643 points.

Is the NHL concerned about players choosing their destination?

Commissioner Gary Bettman said last week that the league is watching how players use trade protection to push for moves to teams they pick. He added that one offseason does not make a problem, but that the league would raise it with the players' association if it became one.