- Dylan Larkin heard it from the Little Caesars Arena crowd on Opening Night
- The former captain was introduced with Detroit’s scratches before the Rangers game
- Read below for the video and where Larkin’s trade request stands
Red Wings fans let Dylan Larkin know exactly how they feel.
Larkin was loudly booed during pregame introductions Friday night at Little Caesars Arena, as Detroit opened its 2026-27 season against the Rangers. He wasn’t in uniform. The former captain was introduced alongside the team’s scratches since he’s still dealing with an upper-body injury.
The Athletic’s Max Bultman had the reaction from inside the building:
Take a look at the broadcast angle of the boos:
He stood with his hands in his pockets, glanced up at the crowd and then turned and walked off. That’s a tough scene for a guy who grew up in Michigan, played at the University of Michigan and wore the “C” in Detroit for six seasons.
As we put it on X, the trade request didn’t go over too well in Detroit. Larkin asked out after last season and lost the captaincy before camp opened. The Red Wings still haven’t named a replacement.
Larkin saw this coming. He was asked at the start of training camp how fans might treat him back home.
“I can’t really control that,” Larkin said. “Obviously, they’re passionate fans. There’s frustration there. I’m frustrated as well.”
A deal doesn’t look any closer. His list of approved destinations has grown to eight teams, and owner Chris Ilitch said in September the club is in no rush to move him. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff, who took over when Steve Yzerman stepped down, has kept the details of those talks private.
The injury is its own story. Detroit placed Larkin on injured reserve Friday afternoon, retroactive to Aug. 15, so the team can activate him whenever he’s ready:
Todd McLellan already ruled him out for Friday and Sunday’s home game against the Jets. The coach is hoping Larkin can go Tuesday against Ottawa.
Larkin ranks 10th in franchise history with 643 points and is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $69.6 million contract. If he plays Tuesday, it’ll be his first game in front of the same crowd that booed him Friday.
