Red Wings say Dylan Larkin won’t skate with team at start of camp due to off-ice training injury
Red Wings say Dylan Larkin will miss the start of training camp
Bharatmorningnews.com – The Red Wings say Dylan Larkin will not skate with the team when training camp opens Thursday because of an upper-body injury suffered during off-ice training. Detroit’s immediate concern is helping its veteran center recover before determining when he can resume full hockey activity.
Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff provided the update Wednesday and did not attach a timetable to Larkin’s return. The injury adds another layer of uncertainty for the Red Wings after Larkin requested a trade during the offseason.
“Our focus is getting Dylan healthy,” Horcoff said.
Detroit will continue through the early stages of camp without one of its most important players on the ice. While the club prepares for the NHL season, Larkin’s medical progress will remain a central issue, along with questions about his long-term future with the organization.
Detroit faces an uncertain camp without Larkin
Training camp is an important period for evaluating conditioning, building line chemistry and preparing players for the regular-season schedule. Larkin’s absence from team skating means he will not be part of that initial on-ice work as he recovers from the training injury.
The Red Wings say Dylan Larkin is being prioritized medically, and the team has not indicated when he could join teammates in practice. Without a clear return date, Detroit must allow the recovery process to guide its decisions rather than set expectations for his availability.
Larkin’s status is particularly notable because of his role in Detroit. He has spent his entire NHL career with the franchise and has been one of the defining Red Wings players of the club’s recent era. His experience, production and connection to the organization make any extended absence or possible roster move significant.
Trade request remains part of the bigger picture
Larkin requested a trade during the summer, leaving his place in Detroit unresolved as camp approaches. The Red Wings confirmed last week that he would report to training camp, while also announcing that he is no longer the team’s captain.
The 30-year-old has five years remaining on the eight-year, $69.6 million contract he signed in 2023. His deal includes a no-trade clause, giving him substantial influence over any potential destination. Larkin initially told Detroit he would approve a trade only to Florida, Minnesota or Las Vegas.
That clause means a trade would require agreement from both the player and the Red Wings. Larkin’s injury does not settle the situation, but it shifts the immediate attention toward rehabilitation while the team considers its roster and hockey operations plans.
Horcoff became interim general manager Tuesday after Steve Yzerman moved into a senior advisor role. Yzerman had stepped down abruptly in mid-July, and Detroit said decisions about Larkin’s future would be handled by the next hockey operations leader.
Larkin’s long history with the Red Wings
Detroit selected Larkin with the 15th overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft after his time at the University of Michigan. He developed from a promising local prospect into a long-serving leader and key offensive contributor for the franchise.
He ranks 10th in Red Wings history with 643 points, an achievement that places him among notable players in the history of one of hockey’s most established teams. A potential trade would end a relationship that has stretched from draft day through more than a decade in the NHL.
Larkin also made an impact internationally this year as an important supporting player for the United States during its Olympic gold-medal run at the Milan-Cortina Games in February. His experience on that stage further reflects the value he has brought to Detroit and Team USA.
For now, the Red Wings say Dylan Larkin’s health comes before any other decision. The team can continue evaluating its camp roster and preparing for the season, but Larkin will need to return to skating before he can rejoin that process fully.
FAQ for Detroit Red Wings fans
Why is Dylan Larkin not skating at the start of camp?
Larkin is dealing with an upper-body injury sustained during off-ice training. Detroit has said its focus is on his recovery.
When will Dylan Larkin return to the Red Wings?
The Red Wings have not provided a timetable for his return to team skating or full activity.
Has Dylan Larkin been traded?
No trade has been announced. Larkin requested a trade during the offseason, but he remains under contract with Detroit and reported for training camp.
Can Detroit trade Larkin without his approval?
His contract includes a no-trade clause. Any deal would require cooperation from Larkin and the Red Wings, and he initially limited approved destinations to Florida, Minnesota and Las Vegas.