Detroit Red Wings sit Dylan Larkin, signaling potential trade

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will not play in Thursday night's home game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Head coach Todd McLellan told reporters on Wednesday that Larkin is being left out of the lineup, a move that appears to bring the 30-year-old closer to a trade.

McLellan added that interim general manager Shawn Horcoff is expected to speak about the situation. Larkin requested a transfer during the offseason after the team failed to reach the playoffs for the tenth consecutive year. He began the current season with the Red Wings but lost his captaincy.

Larkin has recorded two goals and six assists in his first 10 games of the season. His career totals now stand at 278 goals and 649 points in 818 games. The Waterford, Michigan native made his professional debut with Detroit in the 2015-16 season after being selected 15th overall in the 2014 draft.

The center won Olympic gold with the United States at the Milan Cortina Games in February. He returned to the lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury. Larkin scored in his season debut against Ottawa, a game in which fans booed him when he first touched the puck. He also scored in Monday's victory at Edmonton.

Larkin holds a no-trade clause in his contract. The eight-year deal has five years remaining, with an annual cap hit of $8.7 million. He initially indicated he would accept a trade to Florida, Minnesota, or Vegas, though reports suggest he has since expanded his list of acceptable destinations.

The Red Wings also face uncertainty regarding defenseman Simon Edvinsson. The 23-year-old Swede remains an unsigned restricted free agent nearly a month into the season. Edvinsson posted nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last year. Detroit drafted him sixth overall in 2021.

The team signed forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year contract two weeks ago. The agreement pays him $13 million per season.