Dylan Larkin to debut for Red Wings despite demanding trade - ESPN

Center Dylan Larkin is expected to make his season debut for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night after his contentious trade request went public in June.

Larkin, 30, has been out with what the team said is an upper body injury, and will be evaluated before Detroit faces the Ottawa Senators at home. «If he's cleared, he's playing. And if he isn't, then he won't,» coach Todd McLellan said. «We expect his best, every shift.»

All signs at the team's morning skate pointed to Larkin returning to the lineup. He was practicing with wingers Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond, his normal linemates. He was also working on the Red Wings' top power-play unit.

Detroit needs reinforcements offensively, as the team is missing injured forwards Mason Appleton, Marco Kasper and J.T. Compher. The Red Wings also have two goals in their opening two losses on the season.

Larkin requested a trade three years into an eight-year, $69.6-million contract he signed with the Red Wings in March 2023. Larkin's contract carries a no-trade clause. He initially submitted a three-team list to Detroit — reportedly the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights — although he's since expanded that field.

Sources told ESPN at the time that there was tension between Larkin and Detroit management. GM Steve Yzerman stepped down during the offseason and was replaced by Shawn Horcoff on an interim basis. Larkin, who won a gold medal with the U.S. in the 2026 Winter Olympics, has missed the playoffs in 10 of 11 years in the NHL. The Red Wings are mired in the longest playoff drought in team history, last appearing in the playoffs in 2016.

Larkin reported to training camp. He had the Red Wings captaincy taken away from him after «several in-depth