Dylan Larkin remains on the Detroit Red Wings roster, even though his trade request has lingered for more than two months.
The impasse stems from a chain of front‑office upheaval that began when Steve Yzerman was dismissed from his role as general manager in July, leaving the team without a clear conduit for deals.
Interim GM Shawn Horcoff has been explicit about his limited authority, stating that no trade can be executed without a permanent successor in place.
Larkin’s contract carries an $8.5 million annual cap hit, a figure that looms large for a franchise still weighing its long‑term direction. Coaches and analysts have urged him to sharpen his two‑way play, arguing that a spike in production could revive trade interest.
The PWHL’s Detroit Experiment
The Professional Women’s Hockey League entered its third season with a high‑profile expansion into Detroit, a move finalized under the guidance of GM Manon Rheaume, the former Canadian Olympic silver‑medalist.
Mark Walter, who also controls the Los Angeles Lakers and Chelsea FC, has poured more than $100 million of outside capital into the league, drawing investors such as Chris Ilitch and Ilitch Sports.
Federal investigators are probing the financial underpinnings of Walter’s life‑insurance empire, and the scrutiny has sparked speculation about the future of his other holdings.
Recent reports indicate that Walter is close to divesting his stakes in the Lakers and Chelsea, a development that could reshape the ownership landscape of both franchises.
The ripple effect reaches Detroit, where the Red Wings have yet to move on any of their expiring contracts, and where the next general manager is expected to be aggressive in the free‑agent market.