Dylan Larkin could stay with the Red Wings all season, owner says

Detroit Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch said Dylan Larkin could remain with the team for the entire season, despite the player’s request to be traded. Larkin, the first-line center and former team captain, requested a transfer after last season, as the Red Wings missed the playoffs for the tenth consecutive year. Before training camp, the team announced it would start the season without a named captain.

As the NHL reports, Ilitch said in an interview that Larkin could be with the team all year and stressed that every discussion about his future will remain between the player and club leadership. Ilitch also confirmed that Larkin will report to the team’s training camp.

On July 15, the Red Wings announced that general manager Steve Yzerman would move into a senior advisory role alongside Ilitch. Most recently, the team named Shawn Horcoff as interim GM until a new head of hockey operations is found. Ilitch said the captaincy issue and the makeup of the staffs, including coach Todd McLellan, will be decided by the future president of hockey operations.

In the short term, Horcoff will manage day-to-day business. Among the most urgent issues requiring attention are the contracts of defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who is a restricted free agent, and forward Alex DeBrincat, who could become an unrestricted free agent after the end of the season. Ilitch also asserted that the organization is bigger than any player, coach, GM or owner, and that fan reactions are external and beyond the club’s control.

According to the NHL, Ilitch reaffirmed that Larkin is under contract, that he will report to camp, and that the club will make every effort to support him and help him reach his full potential.