As the Detroit Red Wings get set to play the Ottawa Senators tonight, a newly acquired star forward looks to center a top-six line in Detroit.
Okay, Dylan Larkin may not be newly acquired. However, the vacant spot where a letter once stood will make it feel like a new player has arrived in Detroit. While it is completely understandable that boos will rain upon the former leader and fans have every right to voice their displeasure with the (expectedly) standing trade request, there is also a bright side to the return.
Rather than accepting a futures package or a less-than-Larkin win-now player in a short-sighted trade acquisition, the Red Wings still have the best potential player in any future trade that involves Larkin. As they often say, the devil you know is preferable to the devil you don’t.
As tough as it may be for some fans to stomach, Larkin is the best option for a top-six center that the Wings have.
Red Wings hope Dylan Larkin can spark offense, hush some of the noise
There isn’t any one close to Larkin's level of player on the trade market. The fact that he’s willing to lace up his skates, appear on the bench on opening night for player introductions and even attend a sponsorship night rings true to the player that diehard Red Wings fans remember loving as their captain. The guy who quickly tries to make an exit during the player introductions as he’s getting booed and is forced to turn around and face the music even more...not so much.
It’s an odd situation. One that Wings fans are still attempting to grasp when the energy for anger subsides. Many players in Larkin’s position don’t play again for their team. It’s taken many around the NHL by surprise.
I'm really surprised Dylan Larkin might play again for the Red Wings tonight, and based on my conversations around the NHL in the last week I don't think I'm alone in that reaction.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 6, 2026
Regardless of how Detroit fans feel, the Red Wings are a better team with Larkin in the lineup. Depending on the Larkin we get, he may be an impact player for his hometown team. Or, he might help them stay above water—at the very least.
Considering Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton are out week-to-week and J.T. Compher is out day-to-day, the timing of Larkin returning to the lineup could not be better. To have a player at Larkin’s level (regardless of said level he’s at) will have a big impact on the players.
Alex DeBrincat and Moritz Seider have spoken their piece on many of occasions regarding the situation. They reiterated Tuesday before the matchup against the Ottawa Senators just how important it is to have him back in the lineup during their media availability. DeBrincat specifically emphasized supporting his friend and teammate.
Further to his point, the team wants to win games. Larkin helps win games. Head coach Todd McLellan built upon the idea stating that Larkin helps to generate offense—something that has been a struggle through the first two games this season.
McLellan elaborated on the team dynamics of the Senators, as well. Ottawa found themselves in a similar situation to Detroit this summer when their captain requested a trade. Unlike the Red Wings who have spun their tires all summer long, the Senators immediately executed a trade of their former captain. Closure like that can certainly help a team move on.
The lingering unanswered questions and uncertain future (of Larkin, and now Simon Edvinsson) all create a difficult spot for any roster to find themselves in—let alone a roster missing their top line center and top-pairing defenseman in the first two games of the season.
Much like a captain might say, Seider reaffirmed that with the wins the outside noise quiets down ever so slightly. Here’s to hoping the Detroit Red Wings can get it going tonight.
Detroit Red Wings anticipate call up; lineup still uncertain
As the Detroit Red Wings get set for their Tuesday night match up, the plan is to recall a forward from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
There may be a possibility that the Wings run 11 forwards and 7 defensemen as they did last game against the Winnipeg Jets (something I fully support, and believe it’s something they can use to take advantage of Axel Sandin-Pellikka’s incredible offense).
If they elect to bring up a forward, the best bet is a player like Sheldon Dries. The Griffins have shown they're consistently ready to go.
In their preseason games, it was oftentimes the Griffins line that stirred the drink for the Red Wings. They brought an offensive spark, big hits and sustained pressure that swung momentum back in favor of Detroit. If they can continue to bring the same effective play, the Detroit Red Wings (the players themselves) won’t miss a beat.
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