Apr 11, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) skates with the puck in the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images It appears that the Red Wings only path going forward is one without Dylan Larkin at the helm for their long term future. Even with Steve Yzerman stepping aside, the Red Wings and Larkin’s relationship has deteriorated to the point of no return according to reports that have been making the rounds this week.
Detroit still has the task of trying to trade the 29 year old forward, though whether that comes before or after a new general manager is hired is hard to say at this stage in the offseason. The Red Wings are starting their GM hunt far later in the year than most teams have. The Larkin request, however represents an obviously two sided coin for any new GM to handle while considering stepping into the executive’s chair.
Larkin could provide a bounty of picks, or some already established talent if he gets moved. On the flip side, any trade, and the direct results of that trade, will likely color much of the next general manager’s tenure in Hockeytown. Some may prefer to wait to take the job until after the Larkin situation is resolved, or even near the trade deadline when Larkin’s value would likely be highest.
Whether Detroit’s front office is willing to exercise that same patience is questionable. For now though, the only hockey that’s occurring inside Detroit’s walls is being done under the banner of USA Hockey as the Red Wings play host to the American junior team in preparation for next weeks Summer Showcase event. Three of the players in attendance should find the training grounds familiar.
Victor Plante, JP Hurlbert, and Brent Solomon were in the Belfor Center a few weeks ago for Red Wings prospect development camp. Red Wings Extra Just under 70 years ago today the Red Wings made a trade that would likely become one of their greatest regrets. Detroit’s 1957 front office group, led by Jack Adams, traded Ted Lindsay and goalie Glenn Hall to the Chicago Blackhawks for four players who didn’t even eclipse 100 total games in a Red Wings uniform as individuals.
Hall would go on to become one of the best netminders of the era and even backstopped the Blackhawks in their 1961 Stanley Cup victory over the Red Wings. Lindsay, meanwhile, was towards the end of his career but still managed just under 100 points in a two year stint with the Blackhawks before retiring in 1960. He did rejoin the Red Wings in the 1964-65 season, however, potting 28 points on the season with an even number of goals and assists at 39-years-old.