Despite a charged offseason with a publicly leaked trade request and rampant speculation about how real his injury at the start of training camp was, all signs appear to point to Dylan Larkin getting ready for the Detroit Red Wings’ 2026-27 season.
The team’s former captain suited up for Wednesday’s practice for the first time after missing last week’s training camp opening with an upper body injury, which was then followed by an awkward press conference with not so newly minted interim General Manager Shawn Horcoff. Larkin was in the team’s standard gear and was a full participant in the skate with no contact limitations.
This is Larkin's first full participation in practice since Horcoff announced his injury. A timetable for Larkin's return is unclear, though his participation in practice suggests that he may very well be ready for opening night.
Red Wings focusing on road ahead
With the regular season less than a week away, Larkin and the team’s in flux front office appear to be going about business as usual. Larkin's trade request came almost as soon as the season ended, followed by a pathetic three-team trade list (which later expanded to four teams). Questions on whether or not that list is true still remain unanswered, with Larkin continuing to provide no sort of clarity on the situation whatsoever.
Since the request, the Red Wings went through the NHL Draft and early free agency with previous general manager Steve Yzerman before he ultimately stepped down from his role. With NHL rosters and cap situations mostly set, aside from a handful of prominent restricted free agents still looking for new contracts (including defenseman Simon Edvinsson), a Larkin trade doesn’t appear likely to happen soon. For now, it appears that Larkin and company will push forward to make the best of an awkward situation.
The Red Wings still have yet to sign Edvinsson, extend forward Alex DeBrincat or even offer an update on their general manager search. There's little communication, if any, coming from the front office.
Detroit opens the regular season against the New York Rangers on Oct. 2 and it appears they will do so with Larkin still on the team.
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