Dylan Larkin Held Out by Red Wings Until a Trade Is Completed, Reports Say

Update: Red Wings suspend Larkin without pay

Updated 22:15 UTC, Oct. 29, 2026. The Red Wings suspended Dylan Larkin without pay on Thursday evening, after Larkin informed the team that he will no longer play for Detroit, interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said in a statement issued at 5:40 p.m. ET. The Associated Press reported that Larkin was also taken off the roster.

"We are disappointed by his decision, particularly given his obligations to the organization and his teammates," Horcoff said. "We have therefore suspended Dylan without pay."

Horcoff said the team will continue to explore trade opportunities, and that any trade needs Larkin's approval and must be in the best interests of the Red Wings and support the organization's long-term goals. He thanked the coaches and players for their continued focus.

Earlier on Thursday, Larkin's agent, Pat Brisson, told the Detroit Free Press that Larkin had had enough of the situation. Per TSN's Darren Dreger, reported by the Detroit Free Press, a suspension would cost Larkin over $41,000 per day. No trade has been announced.

Dylan Larkin will not play for the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, against the Chicago Blackhawks at Little Caesars Arena, coach Todd McLellan said. Reports from Sportsnet and TSN say the team plans to keep its former captain sidelined until a trade is finalized.

No trade has been completed or announced. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, reported by theScore, said the plan is to keep Larkin out until a trade is finalized. "This is the current situation: Larkin will not play until a trade occurs," Friedman said, as quoted by the Detroit Free Press.

Talks have escalated, but a move is not imminent

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that trade talks involving Larkin have recently escalated, but that a move is not imminent. LeBrun called the situation fluid, with Detroit still shopping Larkin.

In a development reported at 1:50 p.m. ET on Thursday, LeBrun said Larkin and the Red Wings spoke over the previous 24 hours. Larkin said he had given the team ample time to make a trade, and a decision was made that he will not play on Thursday night or for the foreseeable future, in the hope that a trade materializes.

How the split reached this point

Larkin requested a trade following the end of last season, after the Red Wings playoff drought hit 10 seasons. The Free Press reported that the request was delivered shortly after the season ended in mid-April by his agent, Pat Brisson.

Larkin agreed to report to training camp, but he was stripped of his captaincy after the trade request became public. He was booed by fans during introductions at the home opener. He missed the start of camp with an injury, and he has six points in 10 games this season.

Larkin missed Wednesday's practice, which the team called a maintenance day. Brisson was in Detroit on Wednesday, the Free Press reported.

The contract and the approved list

Larkin, 30, has played his entire 12 year career with Detroit, which drafted him 15th overall in 2014. He has played with the team since the 2015-16 season. He is signed through 2030-31 at an 8.7 million dollar cap hit, with five seasons left, including this season, on his eight year contract.

Larkin has a no-trade clause. His approved list has expanded to 10 teams: the Florida Panthers, the Minnesota Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights, the Dallas Stars, the Washington Capitals, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Utah Mammoth, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the New Jersey Devils and the Colorado Avalanche, the Free Press reported.

The Montreal Canadiens have reportedly been monitoring Larkin's availability, despite not being on his approved list, theScore reported.

What has not happened

No trade has been announced, and the team had not explained the decision in detail by Thursday afternoon. McLellan told reporters that interim general manager Shawn Horcoff would explain why Larkin is out. USA TODAY said no update had been given as of 2 p.m. ET, and the Free Press live blog said Horcoff will address the situation later on Thursday.

Until a trade is announced, Larkin's status is a holdout by plan, not a completed move: he stays on the roster, he does not play, and Detroit keeps talking with other teams.