Opinion: Dylan Larkin's Reported Trade Request Shouldn't Surprise Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings captain and star center Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
While no one saw it coming in particular on Thursday afternoon, when you look at the extent of Larkin's Red Wings career and the perpetual disappointment he's experienced over 11 years, it's really not too surprising that Larkin has asked for a change of scenery.
As Friedman said, we don't know the specific reason Larkin wants out. He didn't comment, and his agent and Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman didn't comment, either.
In theory, however, you can only ask an elite player to be patient for so long before they doubt things will change for the better.
Top NHL Insider Reports Dylan Larkin Has Requested Trade From Red Wings
According to an explosive report from NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, Dylan Larkin has requested to be moved from the Red Wings.
Larkin has a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons, but he's obviously prepared to waive that clause now.
At 29 years old, Larkin is in his prime. He's given Yzerman & Co. a slew of chances to at least turn Detroit into a year-in, year-out playoff team, and every year that passed where that modest goal wasn't reached was a straw on Larkin's back. And this season's letdown and lack of changes in the front office may have been the final straw.
While Yzerman won't give Larkin away in any trade, Larkin has the leverage to force a trade to his preferred destination. The last thing the Wings will want is a protracted and ugly battle with the player who has pridefully worn their 'C' since 2021. And it now feels like they're past the point of no return with Larkin, who has another five seasons under contract at $8.7 million per year.
With a dearth of true No. 1 centers in the league, the Red Wings should find a new home for Larkin that sends a solid package of prospects and/or draft picks back to Detroit. If the Red Wings don't want to retool, maybe there's a hockey trade that gets them back a different No. 1 center.
Three Potential Trade Fits For Detroit Red Wings' Dylan Larkin
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Let's look at three teams that could target him.
In any case, Larkin's trade request will make Red Wings fans angry. But while they're right to be upset, Wings fans should focus their anger on the right person – and it's on Yzerman, not on Larkin.
Yzerman has developed a core, but he hasn't rounded out the roster well enough to get his team into the playoffs, and patience has waned.
Larkin gave it his best shot in Detroit, but in the end, the Wings couldn't get the job done. And given the Red Wings' failures in the past decade, Larkin's trade request is absolutely understandable.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 4:18 PM.