‘I feel bad for him’: McLellan on Larkin being booed at Red Wings home opener
Among the many storylines surrounding the Detroit Red Wings this season, one of the more interesting ones was the reaction from the fans as Dylan Larkin played his first home game after requesting a trade.
The game went as most expected it to, with Red Wings fans booing the center as he was announced as one of the scratches for Friday’s game against the New York Rangers. It still isn’t an ideal scenario for the team and the player, but as Detroit head coach Todd McLellan said when speaking with the media after the game, it’s the reality of the situation.
“Dylan being part of the team, he wanted to be out there for the ceremony,” McLellan said. Obviously he’s got to live with the ramifications of asking for a trade. It’s not comfortable for anybody, I feel bad for him. I do.”
Larkin requested a trade from the Red Wings on June 4th after the team failed to make the playoffs for the 10th-consecutive season, the longest active playoff drought in the league. While it was a slight surprise that the Michigan-born and -educated man looked to be a long-time member of the team, but now at age 30, he’s looking to play some competitive hockey and win a Stanley Cup before it’s too late.
However, Larkin has yet to be dealt. This is partially because a limited list of teams he would accept a trade to has handcuffed Detroit’s ability to move him and get an adequate return for him. But it’s also because the franchise is in a limbo period as they search for a new general manager after Steve Yzerman stepped down from the role on July 15th, and have yet to hire one. That said, Shawn Horcoff was named interim GM on September 15th, likely indicating the team is open to making moves until finding a permanent replacement.
As a result of the trade request and his inability to be dealt at this time, Larkin was stripped of his captaincy after holding the honour for six seasons. The Red Wings have yet to name a new captain for this season.
Larkin is one of a few notable American players who requested a trade this summer. While he and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck have yet to be traded, long-time Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was dealt to the Florida Panthers over the summer.
