|

Dylan Larkin injury rules him out of first 2 Red Wings games

Dustin JudgeDustin Judge
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin skates during a 2018 home game; a Dylan Larkin injury will keep him out of the first two games of 2026-27

Dylan Larkin will miss the Detroit Red Wings’ first two games of the season with an upper-body injury, coach Todd McLellan said Thursday, Oct. 1. The Dylan Larkin injury takes the 30-year-old center out of Friday’s opener against the New York Rangers and Sunday’s home game against the Winnipeg Jets.

“He’s working with the training staff to push through,” McLellan said, according to NHL.com. “I’m hoping Game 3.”

McLellan targets Tuesday against Ottawa

Game 3 is Tuesday, Oct. 6, against the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena. That timeline matches ESPN’s injury report on the Dylan Larkin injury, which lists him as out with an Oct. 6 projected return.

Larkin went through some drills at Thursday’s practice but did not take line rushes, NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika reported. He also sat out every preseason game.

How the Dylan Larkin injury happened

Larkin was hurt during offseason training, and the injury limited him when camp opened Sept. 17.

“I got hurt in the gym working out, and I’m pushing to get healthy, and I want to be out there,” Larkin said that day. “This is very unfortunate timing. I wish I could show with my actions how to build trust with my teammates again.”

The last line pointed to his offseason. Larkin asked for a trade after last season and lost the captaincy before camp. McLellan backed him publicly on the first day of camp.

“Who wouldn’t want Dylan Larkin on their team?” McLellan told the Detroit Free Press. “He made a commitment to the team signing a contract. We made a commitment to him to provide an opportunity to play and that’s where we’re at right now.”

Trade talk has not gone away

The Dylan Larkin injury arrives with his name still near the top of the trade market. Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson ranked Larkin No. 2 on his October trade block big board, citing Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who reported that Larkin expanded his list of preferred destinations to eight teams.

The obstacle is money. Richardson wrote that none of those clubs has the cap space to absorb Larkin’s $8.7 million average annual value, which runs through 2030-31. Larkin signed that eight-year, $69.6 million contract on March 2, 2023.

Larkin’s place in Red Wings history

Larkin ranks 10th in franchise history with 643 points (276 goals, 367 assists) in 808 games. He had 34 goals and 33 assists for 67 points in 74 games last season, per NHL.com.

The Dylan Larkin injury comes at a sensitive moment. Detroit has missed the playoffs for 10 straight seasons and plays seven of its first eight games at home.

The Red Wings host the Rangers at 6:30 p.m. ET Friday (HBO Max, truTV, TNT, SN1). For more updates on players around the league, check our NHL injuries page and our latest NHL news.

Dustin Judge

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.