Detroit Red Wings star Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and other news organizations.
That’s a stunning development, adding a major name that teams can pursue in the offseason.
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The Detroit Free Press, part of USA TODAY Network, said it could not independently confirm the report.
Larkin has been captain of the Red Wings since 2021. He’s a six-time 30-goal scorer, including the last five seasons.
He also was a standout for the USA at the Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Red Wings’ 10-season playoff drought is now the longest in the NHL after the Buffalo Sabres clinched a postseason spot. Larkin hasn’t been in the postseason since his rookie year in 2015-16.
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) faceoff during the first period in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) faceoff during the first period in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) celebrates scoring during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Overview of the stadium prior to the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
General view of towels for fans on the seats prior to the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) stands in the hallway prior to entering the ice for warm up against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Seth Jarvis (24) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
The Red Wings were quiet at the 2025 trade deadline, which Larkin had noted, and were more aggressive in 2026, bringing in Justin Faulk and David Perron. But they faded down the stretch again to miss the playoffs.
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Dylan Larkin contract status
Larkin, 29, has five years left on his contract (through 2031) at a $8.7 million cap hit. He has a full no-trade clause the next two seasons and a modified no-trade clause afterward.
It might be difficult for Larkin to be moved quickly because general manager Steve Yzerman won’t trade him without getting top value. And Larkin can dictate where he goes.
But Larkin will be pursued by other teams because of his high-end play and the fact that the free agent market is pretty thin.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin requests trade in shocking development
