Apr 11, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) and New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) battle for the puck in the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images The importance of Dylan Larkin attending the Detroit Red Wings training camp on Thursday is evident in even the most elementary of NHL statistics.

Larkin is one of three active NHL centers to score 30 or more goals in each of the past five seasons. If the Red Wings had honored Larkin’s request this summer to be traded and didn’t receive a center in return, they would be starting training camp with J.T.

Compher as their leading returning center goal scorer with 11. Larkin is the team’s only true scoring center.

The three highest-scoring centers after Larkin are Compher, Andrew Copp and Marco Kasper. Their combined goal total did not reach the 30 goals Larkin delivers every season.

With Shawn Horcoff 24 hours into his official tenure as Detroit’s interim GM, here is where we are at with Larkin: Is Larkin Staying or Going? That’s still to be determined.

All we know for sure is that he will be at training camp, he is no longer the team’s captain and he plans to discuss his future with Horcoff. He has five more seasons remaining on his contract paying him $8.7 million per season.

Larkin would be suspended without pay if wasn’t at training camp. What we don’t know is whether Larkin is open-minded about staying with the Red Wings under a non-Steve Yzerman regime.

The deterioration of their relationship undoubtedly played a role in Larkin’s trade request. What Are Detroit’s Trade Options for Larkin?

Larkin, owning a no-trade clause, informed Detroit he would only accept a trade to Florida, Vegas or Minnesota. Only the Wild, needing a scoring center, are actively pursuing Larkin.

The snag in negotiations when Yzerman was in charge was his insistence on a proven offensive player in return. He wasn’t looking to move Larkin for draft picks or prospects.

Does Horcoff feel the same way? We don’t know yet, but it is logical to believe that he feels urgency to put an end to the team’s decade-long playoff drought.

You don’t take steps to do that by adding more draft picks and prospects. The Wild are trying to climb into the group of top Stanley Cup contenders.

As much as they might want Larkin, they don’t want to create another hole in their lineup to acquire him. The Panthers are deep at center.

Plus, they don’t want to give up young center Anton Lundell who the Red Wings reportedly coveted. The Golden Knights have salary cap challenges and don’t seem to have a good trade fit.

If Larkin continues to push for a trade, the Red Wings will ask him to expand his trade list. If Larkin adds teams to his list, it increases the chances of Detroit landing a veteran center or scoring winger in return.

Would Detroit Fans Welcome Back Larkin? It likely would be a rough ride early in his return.

Booing is likely. But goals and team success have a way salving emotional wounds.

Redemption is a staple in the sports world. If Larkin is Here Opening Night, Who Does He Play With?

Too early to know. But with Patrick Kane now in Chicago, it’s fair to wonder whether coach Todd McLellan might consider playing Alex DeBrincat with Larkin and Lucas Raymond.

However, in an effort to look for balanced scoring, McLellan may use DeBrincat again with Copp. Viktor Arvidsson would take Kane’s spot on the line.

Maybe Kasper would play on the wing with Larkin and Raymond. The Red Wings have hope Kasper will show increased scoring today.