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 an upper body injury and will be evaluated before facing the Ottawa Senators. "If he's cleared, he's playing," coach Todd Mc Lellan said.
Larkin requested a trade three years into an eight-year, $69.6-million contract. He initially submitted a three-team list to Detroit — reportedly the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights — though he has since expanded that field. Sources said there was tension between Larkin and management after GM Steve Yzerman stepped down.
Larkin reported to training camp but had the Red Wings captaincy taken away. "I asked for a trade from the Detroit Red Wings as a captain, and that has consequences," he said. He was booed at the home opener while in street clothes. "He's got to live with the ramifications," Mc Lellan said.
Teammates have been supportive. "We've got his back," Alex De Brincat said. Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league is monitoring how players use trade protection to force moves. "If this becomes a problem, it's something we are going to have to discuss," Bettman said.
Source: ESPN NHL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing