Dylan Larkin missed Detroit Red Wings practice on Wednesday, but coach Todd McLellan said the former captain was given a maintenance day and is expected to play against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
Larkin’s absence still caught fans’ attention, with his trade request remaining unresolved. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported that he missed practice, while NHL insider Elliotte Friedman also addressed the situation on X.
“Maintenance Day is the word,” Friedman wrote.
The explanation did little to stop fans from joking about Larkin’s situation. One fan wondered whether the Red Wings were making changes to his trade protection.
“They fixing his no trade list?”
Another joked about using the same excuse at work.
“I should tell my employer that I need a “Maintenance Day” lmao”
One user questioned the timing of the rest day, given that Detroit last played on Monday.
“Maintenance day 2 days after a game?”
Another fan appeared tired of the ongoing trade saga, writing:
“I honestly cannot wait for this thing to end…. 😅”
Dylan Larkin’s trade request remains unresolved
Dylan Larkin requested a trade after last season, and he has not rescinded it. The Detroit Free Press reported last week that he had expanded the list of teams he would accept a trade to from three to at least 10. All are based in the United States: Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Utah, Vegas and Washington. The Athletic also confirmed the list, citing a league source.
The 30-year-old is in the fourth season of an eight-year contract carrying an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31. His deal includes a full no-trade clause through 2027-28, giving him control over any potential move.
Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has described the situation as status quo. Friedman also said on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Detroit has been disappointed with the offers for Larkin and unsigned defenseman Simon Edvinsson.
Larkin has two goals and four assists in 10 games this season. Detroit is 5-4-3 after Monday’s 4-3 shootout win over Edmonton, in which Larkin tied the game with 1:17 left in the third period.
There is no indication that Wednesday’s maintenance day was connected to the trade request. McLellan expects Dylan Larkin to be available when Detroit hosts Chicago at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Edited by Sonali Verma
