Apr 13, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Center Dylan Larkin has played 11 seasons of professional ice hickey for the Detroit Red Wings in a total of 808 games. But the Wings' captain has reportedly put in a trade request to the franchise ahead of the 2026-27 season.
In a recent report by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman for Sportsnet, citing multiple sources, Larkin requested a trade from Detroit in a major turn of events. But the American didn’t mention anything about which franchise he wants to join, leaving his future with the Red Wings in question.
The 29-year-old will, in all likelihood, garner significant interest from multiple NHL teams as a top-line center and a leader of men.
Apr 13, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) gives a puck to a fan before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) gives a puck to a fan before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
With a high demand for a top-line center like him, Larkin looks to the top teams in the NHL from the 2025-26 regular season, per Sportsnet. He is likely to be calculating after a 10-season Playoffs drought.
“I want to be here to help this team in any way I can to win the Stanley Cup,” said Larkin in his exit interview for the season after missing out on the playoffs in April.
Notably, in 2016, Detroit last made the playoffs in the NHL during Larkin's first season. They ended up losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoff Series.
Moreover, there is a full no-trade clause in Larkin’s current contract with the Red Wings, signed until 2030-31 and carrying an AAV of $8.9 million.
With all of this, the executive vice-president and GM of Detroit, Steve Yzerman, has a serious decision ahead of him regarding Larkin's future, especially considering his last season's performance.
Dylan Larkin’s Performances in the 2025-26 Season for Detroit Red Wings
Dylan Larkin played 74 games for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025-26 season, and managed to score 67 points for 34 goals and 33 assists. He stayed consistent with his performances in the offense yet again. But the Red Wings failed to make the playoffs.
Detroit finished in 6th place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 41-31-10 for 92 points during the first full season for their head coach, Todd McLellan.
Apart from the NHL, Larkin was a key part of Team USA’s gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament in Turin, Italy, in February. In his six appearances in the competition, he scored 3 points (2G / 1A) to end up with a +3 rating.
In a stat provided by Greg Wyshynski from ESPN on his official X account, Larkin has played more games in one Winter Olympics campaign (6) compared to the number of starts in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (5) in more than a decade.
Will Dylan Larkin find an ideal new suitor if his trade request is accepted by the Detroit Red Wings? Give us your take in the comments.
Written by
Arjun Sharma
Edited by
Surjo Ray