Detroit Red Wings suspend Dylan Larkin, remove him from roster
The center was suspended without pay after his agent informed the franchise he would no longer play for Detroit.
By Nadia Singh ·
The Detroit Red Wings suspended center Dylan Larkin without pay on Thursday and removed him from the roster. The move followed a report from his agent that Larkin would no longer play for the franchise. The suspension came as the team prepared to host the Chicago Blackhawks at home.
Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman issued a statement regarding the decision. The organization expressed disappointment with Larkin's choice, citing his obligations to the team and his teammates. The statement was released shortly before the start of the regular season matchup against Chicago.
Head coach Todd McLellan informed reporters earlier that Larkin would not take the ice for the Thursday night game. McLellan noted that the general manager was expected to discuss the roster move with the media.
Larkin, 30, has recorded two goals and six assists in 10 games this season. His career totals stand at 278 goals and 649 points in 818 games. He made his NHL debut with the Red Wings during the 2015-16 season after being drafted 15th overall in 2014 by Detroit. The Waterford, Michigan native played college hockey for the University of Michigan before entering the league.
The player helped the United States win Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina Games in February. After missing two games due to an upper-body injury, he scored in his season debut to help Detroit defeat Ottawa. He added another goal in a Monday night victory at Edmonton. Larkin arrived at the start of the season without the captaincy, a role he held previously.
Larkin holds a full no-trade clause in his eight-year contract, which has five years remaining. His annual salary cap hit is $8.7 million. He initially requested trades to Florida, Minnesota, and Vegas before adding other potential destinations in recent weeks. The team extended its postseason drought to a decade before this season began.
The roster changes occur while defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned. The 23-year-old restricted free agent is a Swedish player who recorded nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last season. Detroit selected Edvinsson sixth overall in 2021. The Red Wings also signed forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year deal worth $13 million per season two weeks ago.
