DeBrincat Says He'd Welcome Larkin Back in Detroit
Alex DeBrincat, speaking at the NHL/NHLPA media tour, says the former Red Wings captain is still a teammate he wants.
Alex DeBrincat is not treating Dylan Larkin's trade request as a goodbye.
"He makes our team better and I'm more than happy to have him as a teammate," DeBrincat said Sept. 9 at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour in Henderson, Nevada.
News broke in June that Larkin, 30, had asked the Red Wings for a trade. He holds a full no-trade clause through the 2027-28 season, and he is signed through 2030-31 at an $8.7 million average annual value. He was Detroit's captain from Jan. 13, 2021, until Sept. 11, 2026. On Sept. 11, Larkin said he would attend training camp, and the Red Wings announced they would begin the season without a captain while awaiting new hockey operations leadership.
ESPN reported that friction between Larkin and Detroit management had been building for a while, going back to contract talks in 2023. General manager Steve Yzerman stepped down in July after seven seasons without a playoff appearance. The Red Wings still have not named a replacement.
DeBrincat framed it as a personal call.
"I think sometimes in life you've got to make decisions for yourself. If that's the case, and he feels the need to still be out, then that's his decision," he said. "Coming to Detroit, he really made me feel welcome and is obviously a great player."
DeBrincat, 28, had his own future to address on the same tour. He is entering the final season of a deal that carries a $7.875 million cap hit and a 16-team no-trade list, and he can reach unrestricted free agency next summer. He scored 41 goals last season.
"I love playing for the Red Wings. I love wearing that jersey and battling with those guys out there. My intention is obviously to stay in Detroit. We'll see what happens, I guess," he told NHL.com.
Detroit has missed the playoffs 10 straight seasons, the longest drought in franchise history. Training camp opens with two of the team's top forwards facing questions about whether they will be there beyond this year, and no general manager in place to answer them.
