Dylan Larkin’s trade request has been hanging over the Red Wings and owner Chris Ilitch’s heads for going on two months now. And yet the situation doesn’t appear any closer to being resolved now than it did near a month ago when Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman agreed to step aside from his duties in the position.
Ilitch isn’t having much luck with his other sporting ventures and the face of that franchise, either, as the Detroit Tigers just parted ways with their homegrown ace pitcher (again), with Tarik Skubal shipped off to the LA Dodgers for a package of prospects.
The move is obviously disappointing for a Tigers’ team that just broke through back into the playoffs. But, struggling with consistency this year, Ilitch and the Tigers’ front office decided it was better to trade him than pay him after having to go to arbitration for Skubal’s last contract.
That should perhaps give Red Wings fans some hope that the Larkin trade saga will find a smoother off-ramp than has been previously believed.
One thing not going to to assuage Red Wings’ fans, however, is the NHL Network’s top 20 Wingers list. Only one Red Wings forward made the list, with Lucas Raymond at the no. 20 spot. Curiously omitted was Alex DeBrincat, who had more goals and points than Raymond last year.
It seems the Cat isn’t getting the credit he deserves from the national media.
Red Wings Extra
Former MSU Spartan and current Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Trey Augustine made an appearance on the Hockeytown West Podcast today. Augustine, the Red Wings second round pick from 2023, had a stellar career at Michigan State and is now set to make his full time professional debut this fall after seeing limited action with the Griffins in the spring. The young, South Lyon native has played his entire career for Michigan based teams.
With three goaltenders currently under contract with the Griffins, Augustine will be battling it out for playing time. Though, with Michal Postava potentially making a case for himself as Detroit’s backup netminder, Augustine’s path to playing time could be shorter than some other recent Red Wings goalies have found it to be.