Detroit Red Wings suspend Dylan Larkin after trade standoff

Dylan Larkin will not receive a paycheck for the next few days, a financial penalty imposed by the Detroit Red Wings following a breakdown in trade talks. The organization suspended the 30-year-old center without pay and removed him from the active roster on Thursday. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff announced the move shortly before Detroit hosted the Chicago Blackhawks. He stated that the team is disappointed by Larkin's decision, noting the player's obligations to his teammates and the franchise.

Coach Todd McLellan informed reporters earlier in the day that Larkin would sit out the matchup. He added that Horcoff would address the situation directly. The conflict stems from a trade request Larkin made during the offseason after Detroit's playoff drought extended to ten years. He began the season with the team but lost the captaincy. Horcoff said the organization has spoken to teams on Larkin's list and received calls from others interested in acquiring him. He described the process as an ongoing effort to find a solution that works for both sides.

Larkin is not the first player to face this suspension this fall. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a U.S. Olympic teammate of Larkin's, was suspended without pay before being traded to New Jersey last week. Larkin now joins that list. The suspension costs him approximately $41,000 each day. He holds a full no-trade clause in his eight-year contract, which has five years remaining and a cap hit of $8.7 million. He initially accepted trades to Florida, Minnesota, and Vegas before reportedly expanding his list.

The center has recorded two goals and six assists in ten games this season. His career totals stand at 278 goals and 649 points in 818 games. He made his debut with the Red Wings in the 2015-16 season after being drafted 15th overall in 2014. Larkin, a native of Waterford, Michigan, played college hockey at Michigan. He was a key contributor when the United States won Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina Games in February.

Horcoff said he wanted to keep Larkin in a Red Wings jersey but was unsuccessful. He aims to acquire players who can help immediately. The team is open to deals involving prospects and draft picks that provide a fair return. Horcoff noted the difficulty of completing a trade with the specific teams on Larkin's list. Separately, the Red Wings remain in negotiations with restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson. The 23-year-old Swede had nine goals and 25 points last season. Detroit drafted him sixth overall in 2021. Horcoff said nothing has changed regarding Edvinsson's status. The team also signed forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year, $13 million per season contract two weeks ago.

Messages seeking comment were left with Larkin's agent, Pat Brisson. Larkin's last appearance came Monday night in a win at Edmonton. Before that, he missed two games with an upper-body injury. He scored in his season debut against Ottawa after being booed during his first shift.