Detroit will open the regular season without Dylan Larkin, with the veteran center ruled out for the Red Wings’ first two games by an upper-body injury. Coach Todd McLellan is targeting Tuesday’s home date with the Ottawa Senators as a possible return for Larkin.
Key takeaways
- Larkin will miss Detroit’s opener against the New York Rangers on Friday and Sunday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.
- McLellan said the Red Wings are aiming for Larkin to be available for Game 3 against Ottawa.
- The 30-year-old took part in portions of Thursday’s practice but was not included in line rushes.
- Larkin was injured while training during the offseason and was initially unable to fully participate when camp opened.
- He enters the season 10th on Detroit’s all-time scoring list with 643 points in 808 games.
Detroit waits on its top center
The Rangers visit Little Caesars Arena on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET, with HBO MAX, truTV, TNT and SN1 carrying the game. Detroit then remains home for Winnipeg on Sunday before Ottawa arrives Tuesday.
McLellan said Larkin is working alongside the training staff as he tries to clear the final hurdles of recovery. The coach’s expectation is that the Red Wings could have their No. 1 center back for the Senators game, though the club has not made that a firm commitment.
Larkin attended camp after a turbulent offseason in which he asked to be moved and was stripped of the captaincy before the new season. The injury, suffered during an offseason gym workout, prevented him from taking part fully at the outset of camp.
On the opening day of camp, Larkin said he was eager to get healthy and return to the group, calling the timing of the injury frustrating. He also said he wanted to rebuild trust with teammates through what he does on the ice.
A major piece missing from the opening lineup
Detroit is waiting on more than a familiar face. Larkin produced 34 goals and 33 assists in 74 games last season, good for 67 points, and remains one of the club’s central offensive drivers.
Across 808 games with the Red Wings, he has recorded 276 goals and 367 assists. His 643 career points place him 10th in franchise history.
Larkin is in the third season of the eight-year, $69.6 million contract he signed with Detroit on March 2, 2023. The deal carries an annual cap hit of $8.7 million.
McLellan said the organization still sees Larkin as an important part of its plans, noting that both player and club made long-term commitments through that contract. The coach said Larkin wants to return, regain the confidence of those around him and be the strongest version of himself once he is cleared.
