Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman finally addressed the elephant in the room over the weekend. Star center Dylan Larkin wants out, and Yzerman isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet.
Larkin, who has spent more than a decade with the organization, formally asked for a trade after the Red Wings missed the playoffs yet again in 2025-26. But here’s the thing: he still has five years left on his contract. That gives Yzerman leverage, and he’s using it.
“My job as the manager of the Detroit Red Wings is always to do what is in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings, and I will act accordingly to that,” Yzerman told The Athletic on Saturday. “I cannot make any guarantees, or did not make any guarantees, that that request could or would be met.”
That’s about as non-committal as it gets. Yzerman isn’t saying no, but he isn’t saying yes either. He’s keeping his options open and his cards close to the vest. Which, honestly, is exactly what you’d expect from a GM who’s been around this long.
Larkin’s Value vs. Detroit’s Reality
Larkin is still a legit top-line center. He put up 34 goals and 67 points last season on a team that finished with 92 points — not terrible, but not nearly good enough to sniff the playoffs. The Red Wings haven’t made the postseason since 2016, and Larkin has played in a total of 14 playoff games his entire career. For a guy who’s been the heart of this franchise, that has to sting.
So yeah, plenty of teams are interested. According to reports, the list of suitors is long, though Larkin’s agent Pat Brisson isn’t naming names.
“With respect to the process, I’ve always refused to discuss the teams and the number of teams,” Brisson said. “I want to keep as much of these conversations confidential as possible.”
Standard agent talk. But you can bet teams are calling. Centers with Larkin’s skill set don’t hit the market often, even if it takes a trade to get them.
What Happens Next
Yzerman hinted that he’ll have more to say down the line. “I think I will be in a position to maybe answer more questions and be more specific in the future,” he added.
That could mean a trade is coming this summer. Or it could mean Yzerman waits until the deadline. Or it could mean nothing at all, and Larkin stays in Detroit while the whole thing simmers. The NHL offseason is still young, and the Red Wings have options.
But one thing’s clear: Larkin wants a fresh start, and Yzerman isn’t rushing to give him one. The question is whether that patience pays off or just makes things more awkward come training camp.
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