Dylan Larkin, the captain of the Detroit Red Wings, has asked the team to trade him, according to multiple reports that broke on Thursday afternoon. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was the first to report the news.
Larkin, 29, has played all 11 of his NHL seasons in Detroit. He was drafted 15th overall in 2014, grew up in Waterford, Michigan, and played college hockey at the University of Michigan. By every definition, he's been a hometown guy. But the Wings have missed the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons, and sources say the frustration has been building for a while.
He just had one of his best years — 34 goals and 33 assists in 74 games. It was the fifth straight season he's topped 30 goals. He also helped Team USA win gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics earlier this year.
The complication here is money and contract structure. Larkin signed an eight-year, $69.6 million extension in 2023. It carries a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons, which means he gets to control where he goes. After that, there's a 10-team list.
Neither Larkin, his agent Pat Brisson, nor GM Steve Yzerman have commented publicly.
Teams that could make sense include Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Boston. The Wild have needed a first-line center for years. The Flyers and Bruins both have the pieces and the motivation to make a deal. But with that no-trade clause, Larkin holds the cards on this one.