Dylan Larkin Serves Suspension Amid Stalled Trade Talks With Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings centre Dylan Larkin is serving a suspension without pay as his trade request remains unresolved and his approved trade list stays capped at 10 teams, tsn.ca reported. Larkin was suspended Thursday by the team after deciding to stop playing to force a trade he first requested in June. The 30-year-old forward is currently forfeiting $41,237.11 for each day of his suspension, sitting in the fourth season of an eight-year, $69.6 million contract with an annual cap hit of $8.7 million.
Poker Game Over Approved Destinations
The Red Wings have told Larkin’s camp that they feel they have exhausted every option within the 10 teams currently on his approved list, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun explained Tuesday on Insider Trading.
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Detroit management wants to open negotiations with six to eight additional teams outside that group, pointing to clubs like Montreal, Boston, Los Angeles, and Buffalo as more fertile ground for a deal. However, Larkin’s agent, Pat Brisson, has repeatedly rejected expanding the list over the past few days. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff noted last week that a trade would be easier to complete if Larkin considered more options, admitting the club is not there yet.
Larkin camp expresses frustration over contract negotiations
Larkin’s camp argues that the current list is already long enough and a deal should have been finalized already. In a statement shared on X by LeBrun last week, Brisson wrote that Larkin has had enough of the situation and believes he has been very professional and cooperative throughout the process.
Red Wings coach Todd McLellan announced Larkin would not play against the Chicago Blackhawks prior to a 4-1 win, while Horcoff met with media to confirm that Larkin’s agent called to state the forward was not reporting to the rink. According to nhl.com reporting, Horcoff expressed that he has been extremely happy with how the rest of the locker room handled the situation despite raw feelings, noting that teammates and the coaching staff welcomed Larkin back earlier this season after he was stripped of his captaincy in September.
Simon Edvinsson Contract Negotiations Loom
Alongside the Larkin saga, interim general manager Shawn Horcoff faces a looming Dec. 1 deadline to sign restricted free agent defenceman Simon Edvinsson. Edvinsson spent part of training camp with Detroit without a contract before returning to Sweden, and he remains without a deal after returning to North America. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported Tuesday that the two sides do not appear to be on the same page.
Dreger added that a growing frustration exists with both Edvinsson and Larkin from interested teams because the Red Wings front office is unwilling to negotiate upward from tabled offers. Detroit continues to search for a package that matches its valuation for both players as the club maintains a 7-6-3 record in the Atlantic Division ahead of hosting the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.
Dylan Larkin stripped of captaincy and suspended without pay
Why was Dylan Larkin stripped of his captaincy?
The Red Wings announced on Sept. 11 that Larkin would no longer serve as team captain following his public trade request submitted during the summer. Larkin had held the role since Jan. 13, 2021, and Detroit began the current season without a designated captain.
How much money is Larkin losing during his suspension?
Larkin forfeits $41,237.11 for each day he remains suspended without pay by the Red Wings. He is currently playing in the fourth season of an eight-year, $69.6 million contract.
What is the status of Simon Edvinsson’s contract talks?
Edvinsson remains an unsigned restricted free agent with a Dec. 1 deadline approaching to finalize a new deal. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported that Detroit and the 23-year-old defenceman do not appear to be on the same page.
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