Dylan Larkin suspended by Red Wings as team explores trade opportunities amid NHL rumors

Dylan Larkin has been officially suspended by the Detroit Red Wings without pay after informing the organization that he would no longer play for the team pending a trade, it was announced Thursday.

Larkin and the Red Wings have been at an impasse for months after the forward requested a trade in June.

Larkin’s agent, Pat Brisson, said in a statement that Larkin was “fed up with the situation.”

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday that “trade talks have intensified regarding Larkin,” who requested a trade during the offseason and was subsequently relieved of his captaincy.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan added that “several teams” remained in the running for Larkin and that the Minnesota Wild reportedly made one of the “strongest offers” for the veteran.

Larkin, who holds a full no-trade clause, initially told the Red Wings he would only agree to a trade with the Wild, Florida Panthers or Vegas Golden Knights, according to the team’s Helene St. James. Detroit Free Press.

As of last week, that list has expanded to include the Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche, St. James reported.

Greg Wyshynski of ESPN previously reported that Larkin was not interested in playing for a Canadian team.

St. James previously reported that Detroit was looking for a replacement for Larkin at center on the top line in hopes of contending for a playoff spot in the near future.

Larkin, 30, was signed through the 2030-31 season with an $8.7 million AAV and full trade protections through the 2027-28 campaign.

Initial reports of Larkin’s trade demand in the offseason preceded the organization’s parting ways with former general manager Steve Yzerman.

The Red Wings have had mixed results so far with Horcoff in his interim role. The franchise successfully finalized an extension with Alex DeBrincat, but let Patrick Kane enter free agency and has yet to resolve an ongoing impasse with pending restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson.

Larkin started the regular season with what the Red Wings described as an upper-body injury, but has since returned to their team. Since then, he has contributed six points (two goals, four assists) in 10 games with Detroit.

The Red Wings hope ending the Larkin saga and getting back a potential first-line center, followed by potentially resolving talks with Edvinsson, will help this team recover from a rough 5-4-3 start and take a step toward ending the franchise’s decade-long playoff drought.