Detroit – The Red Wings confirmed that center Dylan Larkin, who has spent his entire 11‑year NHL career with the club, will report to training camp when it opens on Thursday. While Larkin will be on the ice with his teammates, the organization said he will not return as captain for the upcoming season.
Leadership changes in Detroit
In a joint statement released Friday, the team said, “We look forward to seeing Dylan and the rest of his teammates at Little Caesars Arena for the start of training camp as we prepare for the upcoming season.” The statement added that the Red Wings will begin the 2026‑27 campaign without a captain named, and that any further discussion on the captaincy will occur once new hockey‑operations leadership is in place.
These remarks come amid a broader restructuring of the franchise’s front office. Former general manager Steve Yzerman will transition to a senior adviser role, leaving the GM position vacant while the organization searches for a replacement. The lack of a permanent GM has delayed any decision on Larkin’s recent trade request.
Larkin’s trade request and contract
Earlier this summer, Larkin submitted a trade request and reportedly provided the Red Wings with a list of teams for which he would waive his no‑trade clause. He remains under an eight‑year, $69.6 million contract that runs through the 2030‑31 season. No trade has been finalized, and the team has not indicated a timeline for a possible move.
Career highlights
Larkin, a Michigan native, posted a career‑high 34 goals and added 33 assists for 67 points in 74 games during the 2025‑26 season. He has accumulated 643 points (276 goals, 367 assists) in 808 career games since being selected 15th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. Larkin also earned a gold medal with the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
What’s next for the Red Wings?
With the captaincy open and the front office in transition, the Red Wings are poised for a period of evaluation. The organization’s statement emphasized that further decisions regarding leadership will be made once new hockey‑operations personnel are installed. Larkin said he will keep his focus on the season ahead and on his teammates, adding, “When new leadership is in place, we’ll talk further about the direction of the team.”
The Red Wings have not qualified for the playoffs in ten seasons, and Larkin has appeared in only five postseason games in his career. The franchise hopes that the upcoming changes will set a new course toward competitiveness.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
