- Dylan Larkin is out of the Red Wings lineup against the Blackhawks
- Elliotte Friedman says the plan is to keep him out until he is traded
- Read below for the latest on the trade talks and what Detroit has said
The Red Wings are keeping Dylan Larkin out of the lineup, and it sounds like a trade is the only thing that changes that.
Head coach Todd McLellan said after Thursday’s morning skate that Larkin will not play against the Chicago Blackhawks. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff will address the situation later in the day. Larkin did not practice Wednesday either.
Here’s our first word on it:
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that “it sounds like current plan is for Larkin not to play until he is traded,” though he added that things may change. Friedman also said on the 32 Thoughts podcast that an injury to Larkin could wreck the talks, which gives Detroit a clear reason to keep him off the ice while a deal comes together.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that “trade talks have escalated on Larkin.” He cautioned that does not mean a trade is imminent, only that things have moved forward.
Larkin requested a trade this summer, and the Red Wings stripped him of the captaincy on Sept. 11. He played through the early part of the season anyway. The 30-year-old has six points (two goals, four assists) in 10 games and still leads Detroit forwards in ice time.
Teams have been lining up. Larkin expanded his trade list to 10 teams, and LeBrun previously said the Wild have made more offers than anyone. The Canadiens have also reportedly been monitoring the situation, even though Montreal is not on his list.
His contract runs through 2030-31 at an $8.7 million cap hit, which is a big part of why the market is so deep for a top-six center. Detroit is 5-4-3 and last in the Atlantic Division, with the longest playoff drought in the NHL at 10 seasons.
The Devils landed Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets just under a week ago, so another trade saga is wrapping up fast. Horcoff speaks later today.
