Dylan Larkin is doing what he needs to do, and the Detroit Red Wings are doing what they have to do.

In a statement released on Friday, Larkin confirmed that he will be attending Red Wings training camp when it opens on September 17 at Little Caesars Arena.

Shortly after the end of last season, Larkin, the team captain, submitted a trade request.

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“Over the past couple of weeks, Red Wings leadership and I have had several in-depth discussions,” Larkin’s statement read. “I’ve appreciated those conversations, and I will be at training camp with my teammates.”

Really, he had no choice. If Larkin had chosen not to report to training camp, he would likely be suspended by the team.

Then he would risk forfeiting the $8.7 million he’s due to earn this season.

What Larkin won’t be doing when he takes the ice later this month is continuing to serve as team captain. Through a generic statement, Red Wings management confirmed that Larkin would be relinquishing the “C” at least temporarily.

“The Red Wings will begin the 2026-27 season with a captain being named,” read the team’s statement. “Any further discussions regarding this topic will be made once new hockey operations leadership is in place.”

Likewise, the Red Wings were left with no choice. They couldn’t leave the C on the jersey of a player who has asked to no longer be part of the team.

Larkin Leaves Door Open To Staying With Red Wings

The team also addressed the ongoing situation of Larkin’s trade request.

“Dylan is under contract as a member of the Detroit Red Wings,” the Red Wings statement reads. “Any conversations regarding his future with the club will take place privately when a new hockey operations leader has been named.

As such, we will not comment further on this matter.”

Larkin did appear to leave the door open a crack to the possibility that he would reconsider his trade request and remain in Detroit. He made his trade request while Steve Yzerman was still GM of the team.

Yzerman was removed from the position in mid-July, and a successor has not been named.

“When new leadership is in place, we’ll talk further about the direction of the team,” Larkin said in his statement. “We will keep those conversations private, and I will keep my focus on the season ahead and on the guys in that room.”