Detroit Red Wings fans jsut watched the Dylan Lakrin trade saga gain that much more uncertainty than there already was. With Larkin requesting a trade back in early June, there had been a standstill in trade traction, with Larkin only providing four teams on his wishlist and general manager Steve Yzerman having a high asking price in return. Things were going nowhere. Now, only confusion was added to this ordeal.
Last week, the Red Wings announced that Yzerman was stepping down as executive vice president and general manager. The team now is looking for a new head of hockey operations. The main question is, what's next for Larkin? Will he get traded? Or will he stay now that Yzerman is leaving his position?
During an appearance on TSN's Overdrive, the Detroit Free Press reporter Helene St. James expressed her belief that it would be difficult for Larkin to walk back the trade request, but it might be in his and the team's best interest.
"I don't think Larkin can walk this back." 👀@HeleneStJames on Dylan Larkin's future with the Red Wings with Steve Yzerman stepping down as GM.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/9uMftlttGL
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) July 15, 2026
Red Wings frustrated with Dylan Larkin over trade request
"But I just don't know, even if it's a different GM. Steve Yzerman still works for the team. I just don't know if Dylan Larkin can walk this back. But at the same time, it may be his best option, because I think a trade, the Red Wings basically have to get back Dylan Larkin. They need a top line center. Getting a first-round pick just sets them back another four, five years in a rebuild. That'd be miserable."
St. James mentioned that this saga has been going on for over a month and neither side was budging between the Red Wings and Larkin. The reporter brought up the Columbus Blue Jackets and their situation with defenseman Zach Werenski. With his future in doubt beyond his current contract, Werenski was the subject of trade talk. In fact, the Blue Jackets had a trade in place with the Dallas Stars that would send Werenski out of Columbus and bring in defenseman Thomas Harley. However, Werenski vetoed the trade. After talking with the team, Werenski released a statement announcing his commitment to the team entering this season.
The Red Wings and Larkin might be too far gone. It has been reported that Larkin had a frosty relationship with Yzerman beginning with their tense contract negotiations back in 2023. There was also the instance where Larkin called out Yzerman for not making any moves at the 2025 trade deadline while the Red Wings were in the midst of a playoff push.
As it turns out, the Red Wings aren't too happy about Larkin's trade request. St. James revealed the reason is because the Red Wings have already paid down a chunk of his salary on his eight-year, $69.6 million contract.
"That would be a lot to walk back," said St. James. "I mean, it's been going on now for two months and the organization is upset with him for asking for a trade after they've paid down the chunk of the actual salary, $31 million over three years for that contract."
Now that is an interesting detail. The Red Wings have already paid nearly half of his contract in just three years, and then they find out from Larkin he doesn't want to be on the team anymore.
We'll have to see if the relationship between Larkin and the team is salvageable. First things first, they will have to hire a new head of hockey operations. Then, they'll have to meet with Larkin and decide the next steps, whether that's a trade or trying to work towards a resolution to keep him on the team entering this season.
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