Larkin scores in return as Red Wings beat Senators 5-3
In short
Dylan Larkin played his first game for the Detroit Red Wings since asking for a trade, scoring 13 minutes in, adding an assist and being named the game's first star. Detroit beat Ottawa 5-3, handing the Senators their first loss of the season, per the Associated Press. Larkin was booed on his first shift and cheered later, and he remains with the team months after his trade request became public.
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Dylan Larkin played for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night for the first time since asking for a trade, scoring 13 minutes into the game, adding an assist and being named the first star in a win over the Ottawa Senators, the Associated Press reported. The AP said Detroit handed Ottawa its first loss of the season, 5-3, and Reuters reported Larkin made a productive return to lead the Red Wings past the Senators. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The AP said Larkin was cheered by the same home crowd that booed him when he touched the puck on his first shift. He was slow to get back defensively and Ottawa's Tim Stützle scored off the rush, before Larkin put the puck in to give Detroit the lead later in the first period and set up Viktor Arvidsson's goal early in the second. More applause followed when he was announced as the first star. [ 2 ]
“I’m trying to be a man and face it,” Larkin said, according to the AP. “I’m going to try to show up with my play.” [ 2 ]
Larkin remains in limbo several months after his trade request became public and after Detroit's longtime general manager, Steve Yzerman, was abruptly moved out of that role in mid-July, the AP reported. Reuters had reported earlier in the day that Larkin, still awaiting a trade, could play against the Senators. Per the AP, Larkin was stripped of the captaincy, reported to training camp despite being injured, missed the start of the season because of injury and received a frosty reaction from home fans during introductions. [ 1 , 2 ]
Newsweek reported the Red Wings are also being linked to two free-agent forwards as the Larkin situation continues, citing an article by Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic. LeBrun wrote that Detroit has expressed interest in Patrik Laine and that he would not rule out a reunion with David Perron, who finished the 2025-26 season with the Red Wings. Newsweek said landing either player would boost Detroit's forward depth. [ 5 ]
Why it matters
Larkin's trade request is still unresolved months later, so each game he plays keeps the standoff between him and the club in view for Detroit fans and other teams. Newsweek reports the Red Wings have also been linked to free-agent forwards, suggesting the roster may keep changing while the situation plays out.
Key facts
- Dylan Larkin played for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday for the first time since asking for a trade. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Larkin scored 13 minutes into the game and had an assist. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The Red Wings beat the Ottawa Senators, handing Ottawa its first loss of the season, according to the Associated Press. [ 3 ]
- Larkin was named the first star of the game. [ 2 ]
- Fans booed Larkin when he touched the puck on his first shift and later cheered him. [ 2 ]
- Larkin remains in limbo and was stripped of the captaincy; longtime general manager Steve Yzerman was moved out of that role in mid-July. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Newsweek reported the Red Wings have been linked to free-agent forwards Patrik Laine and David Perron, citing an Athletic article by Pierre LeBrun. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The final score of 5-3 is reported only by the Associated Press. Only one document gives the scoreline.
- Whether Larkin will be traded, and when, is not stated in the documents. The documents say he asked for a trade and remains with the team, but give no outcome.
- Detroit's reported interest in free-agent forwards Patrik Laine and David Perron. Single source, Newsweek citing an Athletic report, with no comment from the team.
- Why Steve Yzerman was moved out of the general manager role. The Associated Press describes the move as abrupt but gives no reason.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters reports that Larkin, still awaiting a trade, could play for the Red Wings against the Senators. [ 1 ]
- The Associated Press reports Larkin played, scored 13 minutes in, had an assist and was named first star. [ 2 ]
- The Associated Press reports Detroit beat Ottawa 5-3, the Senators' first loss of the season. [ 3 ]
- Reuters reports Larkin made a productive return and led the Red Wings past the Senators. [ 4 ]
- Newsweek reports the Red Wings have been linked to free-agent forwards Patrik Laine and David Perron as the Larkin situation continues. [ 5 ]