Another Team USA gold medalist has stepped away from his NHL team. Dylan Larkin, former captain of the Detroit Red Wings, very publicly requested a trade this offseason, but one has yet to happen. He chose a different path than Team USA teammate Connor Hellebuyck and reported to training camp. Larkin has played regular season games for the Red Wings, but it seems he’s no longer interested in doing so. He has officially stepped away from the team and has been suspended without pay.
The Wings are a complete mess organizationally, and Larkin has apparently had enough. His agent has stated that the team has had ample time to move him, and Larkin is no longer interested in waiting around. I guess I somewhat agree with him, but at the same time, they don’t have to move him. A player can want out, and if he wants to accept a suspension without pay to help force their hand, I guess go for it?
It’s such a bizarre situation because they have an interim GM who cannot afford to trade their former captain for a bag of pucks. The Wings need to get a good return for Larkin, and other teams know they have Detroit over a barrel, so they aren’t incentivized to offer market rate.
I also believe the Red Wings may overvalue Larkin because of his importance to their team. Larkin is Detroit’s first-line center, but on a contending team, he is a surefire second-line center. They want a first-line center return for a second-line center.
This creates a hell of a situation. Larkin is no longer going to play for the franchise, and the franchise needs to appropriately replace him via trade.
If I were a betting man, Larkin will end up in Minnesota or New Jersey within the next 10 days. Those are my frontrunners. I think Minnesota has been itching to acquire him but doesn’t want to meet Detroit’s price. With Larkin stepping away from the team, will they lower their ask?
I wouldn’t if I were them. They’ve already suspended Larkin without pay, and I’d be willing to let that continue for the rest of the season if that’s what it takes. I don’t expect it to get to that point, but it’s the only way to help maximize your return. Teams aren’t going to offer full boat right now, so you need to slow-play this thing.
Detroit isn’t making the playoffs, let alone the Finals, this season, so there’s no need to rush.
What a weird storyline this has become. I understand both parties, but I do believe Detroit has been horribly managed for years now.
How do you think this saga will end?
