Detroit Red Wings Place Dylan Larkin On Paid Suspensions List

The Detroit Red Wings suspended center Dylan Larkin without pay on Thursday and removed him from the roster. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff confirmed the move just before Detroit hosted Chicago, stating that Larkin's agent told the team the player will no longer play for the franchise.

Larkin has been seeking a trade since the offseason following the team's decade-long absence from the postseason. Despite his request, he started the season with Detroit but lost the captaincy. Coach Todd McLellan informed reporters earlier in the day that Larkin would not suit up against the Blackhawks. Horcoff noted that the organization spoke to teams on Larkin's preferred list and received calls from other clubs, but failed to find a mutual solution.

The 30-year-old center faces a financial penalty of roughly $41,000 for each day he remains suspended. This makes him the second NHL player this fall to be suspended without pay after requesting a trade during the offseason. Winnipeg previously used this measure on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck before sending him to New Jersey last week. Larkin is a U.S. Olympic teammate of Hellebuyck.

Since debuting with his hometown team in the 2015-16 season, Larkin has recorded 278 goals and 649 points in 818 games. He holds a full no-trade clause in his eight-year contract, which has five years remaining and an annual salary cap hit of $8.7 million. He initially listed Florida, Minnesota, and Vegas as acceptable destinations but recently added more options. Horcoff said he aimed to keep Larkin but was unsuccessful. The general manager said the organization seeks players who contribute immediately and is open to deals involving prospects and draft picks that provide fair value.

Larkin played in the United States' gold medal game at the Milan Cortina Games in February. After missing two games with an upper-body injury, he scored in his season debut against Ottawa, a game where he was booed on his first shift. He added another goal in a win at Edmonton on Monday. His agent, Pat Brisson, did not return messages seeking comment.

The Red Wings also face contract uncertainty with defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. The 23-year-old Swede recorded nine goals and 25 points in 72 games last year. Horcoff said the club wants Edvinsson on the team and has no interest in signing and trading him. The organization signed forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year contract worth $13 million per season two weeks ago.