The Detroit Red Wings have placed former captain Dylan Larkin on suspension.
“Dylan Larkin has communicated to us that he will cease playing for the Detroit Red Wings,” stated Red Wings interim GM Shawn Horcoff. “We are saddened by his choice, especially considering his commitments to the organization and his teammates.
“Consequently, we have suspended Dylan without pay.”
Larkin was absent from practice on Wednesday as the Red Wings resumed training after an off-day on Tuesday. Initially, Detroit coach Todd McLellan described Larkin’s absence as merely a maintenance day.
However, it has now come to light that during his off-day, Larkin met with his agent Pat Brisson in Detroit.
Brisson provided a statement on behalf of his client.
“Dylan’s reached his limit with the situation,” read Brisson’s statement, as reported by TSN’s Pierre Lebrun. “We think he’s been very professional and accommodating throughout this process.”
Brisson contacted Horcoff on Thursday morning to inform him that Larkin no longer wished to wear the winged wheel jersey of the Red Wings.
“To be straightforward, we received a call from Dylan’s agent simply saying that Dylan wasn’t going to report to the rink and no longer wanted to be a member of the Red Wings,” Horcoff remarked.
Larkin submitted a formal trade request to the Red Wings at the end of the last season. Detroit’s interim GM appeared somewhat irritated at the notion that the Red Wings had not made efforts to trade Larkin.
“We’ve engaged extensively, exhaustively with CAA (Brisson’s agency) to find a resolution for Dylan,” Horcoff noted. “We’ve had discussions with the teams on Dylan’s list. We’ve reached out to other teams and taken inquiries from various teams around the league expressing interest in Dylan.
“We are continually seeking a solution that is beneficial for both parties.”
Red Wings Provide No Indication of an Imminent Larkin Trade
Larkin is currently in the fourth year of an eight-year contract he signed with Detroit in 2023. This agreement carries an AAV of $8.75 million.
While under suspension, Larkin will forfeit $41,237.11 in pay each day until this matter is settled.
The former captain of Detroit holds a full no-movement clause in his deal. Larkin has provided the Wings with a list of 10 teams that he would be willing to accept a trade to.
Shawn Horcoff was a dedicated leader who had numerous reasons to abandon those struggling teams in EDM, yet he never would have thought about it.
It must be difficult for him to face Larkin directly.— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) October 29, 2026
The Red Wings did not indicate that they were nearing a trade involving Larkin. Horcoff suggested that Larkin’s decision to leave will not hasten the trade process in any way.
“How long it takes, I’m uncertain, but I’m ready to wait as long as necessary to ensure that the return we receive is advantageous for the Red Wings overall,” Horcoff explained.
“We need to be mindful of Dylan and his situation and comprehend what he desires in this relationship. However, at the same time, our obligation is to the players in the locker room. The 22 other individuals in the locker room, the coaching staff, management, and the fans also expect us to act in the best interest of the organization.
Related Headlines
Read more at Detroit Hockey Now
