Red Wings suspend star forward Larkin as team explores trade options

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  Ryan S. ClarkOct 29, 2026, 06:20 PM ET

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  Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.

The Detroit Red Wings announced Thursday that star forward Dylan Larkin has been suspended without pay after informing the team he no longer wanted to play for them.

Suspending Larkin without pay comes hours after the 30-year-old missed morning skate and was being held out of the lineup for what was described as "trade-related" reasons, league sources told ESPN earlier Thursday. The suspension means Larkin will forfeit $41,000 a day in salary.

"Dylan Larkin has informed us that he will no longer play for the Detroit Red Wings," Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said in a statement. "We are disappointed by his decision, particular given his obligations to the organization and his teammates. We have therefore suspended Dylan.

"We will continue to explore trade opportunities involving Dylan. In addition to needing his approval, any trade must also be in the best interests of the Detroit Red Wings and support the organization's long-term goals. I want to thank and comment our coaches and players for their continued focus, and being committed to competing every day."

Larkin was already in a tenuous place with the franchise before Thursday. The Michigan native, who spent his entire career with the club that drafted in first round back in 2014, requested a trade in June. Sources told ESPN's Emily Kaplan that Larkin met with his agents, Pat Brisson and Matt Williams, Wednesday evening and determined he had enough. His decision to want out was not made in a vacuum. He believed he handled the situation professionally since making the request while the Wings dragged their feet.

ESPN confirmed last week that Larkin expanded his initial list of potential destinations from three teams to 10 teams. Larkin, who does have a no-trade clause, is in the fourth year of an eight-year contract that is worth $8.7 million annually.

Being suspended without pay by the team along with telling the Red Wings he will no longer play for them is the latest entry into what's been a lengthy saga for Larkin. The two-way center, who was a member of the first United States men's hockey team to win Olympic gold since 1980, did report to training camp but was stripped of his team captaincy.

Larkin missed the start of the season with an upper-body injury and had been placed on injured reserve. He was still part of the team's introductions in their home-opening loss Oct. 2 to the New York Rangers that led to him getting booed by fans at Little Caesars Arena.

He returned to the lineup Oct. 6 where he had a goal and an assist in the team's 5-3 win against the Ottawa Senators. Larkin has two goals and six points through 10 games this season. Larkin, a six-time 30-goal scorer, is also aiming for what would be a sixth straight season of more than 30 goals and 67 points.

Entering Thursday, the Red Wings (5-4-3) were three points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second and final Eastern Conference wild card spot.