Dylan Larkin Booed by Red Wings Fans, Placed on Injured Reserve Amid Trade Request
Detroit's former captain heard loud boos at the Red Wings' home opener, hours after the team put him on injured reserve while his trade request remains unresolved.
Dylan Larkin's long-running standoff with the Detroit Red Wings reached a public moment on Friday. Fans booed the former captain when he was shown on the video board before the season opener against the New York Rangers. Earlier in the day, the team had moved him to non-roster injured reserve.
What happened on opening night
As is customary on opening night, Detroit announced its full roster to the crowd. Sportsnet reports Larkin was introduced with the players who were not dressing for the game. When "No. 71, Dylan Larkin" was called, the boos were loud.
Larkin gave a small wave. He then left the bench and went back to the locker room before the rest of his teammates were introduced.
The trade request
Larkin asked for a trade in the spring, after Detroit missed the playoffs for a 10th straight season. He has played only for the Red Wings, who drafted him in the first round in 2014. He is from Waterford, Michigan.
His contract includes a no-trade clause. ESPN reports he initially told Detroit he would accept a move only to the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild or Vegas Golden Knights.
Then-general manager Steve Yzerman did not complete a deal. He was removed from his post in mid-July. Shawn Horcoff became interim general manager in mid-September, and the team has not hired a permanent replacement.
The Red Wings began 2026-27 without a captain. The team said further decisions would wait until new hockey operations leadership is in place. Larkin said in mid-September: "I asked for a trade from the Detroit Red Wings as a captain and that has consequences."
Injury and team update
Larkin reported to training camp but missed practice time with an upper-body injury. According to Sportsnet, he did not play in any preseason games. He has been skating with the team.
Horcoff spoke to local reporters on Friday and had little to say on trade talks. "We want him to get healthy; he's making great progress, skating with the team," he said, according to The Athletic. He added that the team thinks Larkin is close to returning.
Larkin is not the only unresolved issue in Detroit. Defenceman Simon Edvinsson is a restricted free agent and is at home in Sweden without a contract. Horcoff called him "a priority" but would not discuss the negotiations.
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What happens next
Larkin's return to health is the next marker. Horcoff said the team's priority is getting him back on the ice once he is healthy. Any trade would still need his approval because of the no-trade clause. The permanent general manager hire could also shape both the trade and the captaincy. Neither source gives a timeline for these decisions.
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