Sources: Larkin won't play as Red Wings seek to trade ex-captain

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  Greg WyshynskiOct 29, 2026, 01:03 PM ET

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  Greg Wyshynski is ESPN's senior NHL writer.

Center Dylan Larkin is being held out of the Detroit Red Wings' lineup for "trade-related" reasons, league sources told ESPN's Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski.

Red Wings coach Todd McLellan told reporters that Larkin would not be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Detroit. Larkin didn't practice with the team Thursday morning after taking a "maintenance day" on Wednesday.

McLellan said Detroit general manager Shawn Horcoff would address the situation later.

Larkin's trade demand went public in June. He reported to training camp but was stripped of his team captaincy. He rejoined the Red Wings (5-4-3) on the ice Oct. 6 and has two goals and four assists in 10 games, skating 21:41 on average.

Larkin, who has a no-trade clause, is in the fourth season of an eight-year, $69.6 million contract that carries an average annual value of $8.7 million against the salary cap.

ESPN confirmed last week that Larkin had expanded his list of potential destinations to 10 teams. Initially, Larkin gave the Red Wings three teams he would be willing to waive his trade protection to join: the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights. Larkin, 30, has since added seven teams -- the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Utah Mammoth and Washington Capitals -- that he would be willing to move to, according to a source.

Despite Montreal Canadiens fans recently chanting "We Want Larkin!" when the Red Wings visited Bell Centre, a source told ESPN that Larkin is not looking for a trade to a Canadian team.

Larkin has played his entire NHL career in Detroit, which drafted him No. 15 in 2014. He ranks 10th in franchise history with 649 points.