Red Wings sit veteran center for trade talks
Detroit is keeping Dylan Larkin out of Thursday's matchup against Chicago while negotiations with multiple clubs continue.
By Charlotte Dubois ·
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will not play in Thursday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
League sources told ESPN that the absence is tied to ongoing trade discussions. Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan confirmed to reporters that Larkin is out of the lineup. The 30-year-old did not practice with the team on Thursday morning. He had taken a maintenance day on Wednesday.
Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff is expected to address the situation later. McLellan indicated that the management team is handling the logistics of Larkin's potential move. This follows a demand Larkin made in June to be traded. His representatives have since pushed Detroit to finalize a deal, according to sources.
Several teams are actively pursuing the veteran. The Minnesota Wild are described as one of the most aggressive bidders. Larkin holds a no-trade clause and is in the fourth year of an eight-year contract. The deal totals $69.6 million with an average annual value of $8.7 million. ESPN confirmed last week that Larkin expanded his list of acceptable destinations to ten teams.
Initially, Larkin agreed to waive his trade protection for three specific clubs. Those teams were the Wild, the Florida Panthers, and the Vegas Golden Knights. He has since added seven more organizations to the list. The Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Utah Mammoth, and Washington Capitals are now potential destinations. A source noted that Larkin is not seeking a move to a Canadian team, despite fan requests in Montreal.
Larkin reported to training camp this season but lost his team captaincy. He returned to the ice for the Red Wings on Oct. 6. In his first 10 games, he has recorded two goals and four assists. His average ice time is 21 minutes and 41 seconds. The Red Wings currently hold a 5-4-3 record. Larkin has played his entire NHL career in Detroit after the team drafted him No. 15 in 2014. He ranks 10th in franchise history with 649 points.
