Todd McLellan sends pointed message as Dylan Larkin trade drama hangs over Red Wings opener

Todd McLellan did not say Dylan Larkin's name, but nobody in Detroit needed a translation.

Hours before the Red Wings opened the 2026-27 season against the New York Rangers on Friday night, the head coach delivered a message about what the sweater means, and it landed right in the middle of the Larkin trade saga.

McLellan reminded everyone that Detroit is an Original Six franchise and that the name still carries real weight.

In his view, anyone in the organization who cannot feel that has no business being part of it.

Larkin asked for a trade after Detroit missed the playoffs for a tenth straight season, the longest active drought in the NHL.

The Red Wings took the captaincy away from him, and he is out with an upper-body injury, which means he will miss the opener and Sunday's game against Winnipeg.

No trade has happened yet.

Detroit is also operating without a permanent general manager.

Steve Yzerman was moved into an advisory role in mid-July, and Shawn Horcoff has been the interim GM since mid-September while the team searches for a long-term replacement with help from an outside firm.

Larkin is signed at $8.7 million per season on the eight-year, $69.6 million deal he signed in March 2023, and it carries a full no-trade clause through 2027-28.

Reports say his list of acceptable teams has widened to roughly eight American-based contenders, and Detroit has reportedly held firm on its price.

McLellan has said all along that trades are a management matter and his players have jobs to do.

Whatever happens with Larkin from here, the Red Wings have 82 games ahead, and a coach reminding his team what the crest stands for is a pretty fair place to start.

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