Todd McLellan discussed Dylan Larkin’s first appearance back in Detroit this season after the Detroit Red Wings fans booed their former captain before Friday’s season-opening loss to the New York Rangers.
Larkin did not play as he recovers from an upper-body injury, but he joined Detroit’s scratched players for pregame introductions at Little Caesars Arena.
The crowd booed Larkin when his name was announced after an offseason in which the longtime Red Wings center requested a trade and lost the captaincy.
McLellan revealed afterward that Larkin chose to participate in the ceremony despite expecting an uncomfortable reception.
“Dylan being part of the team, he wanted to be out there for the ceremony,” McLellan said. “Obviously, he’s got to live with the ramifications of asking for a trade. It’s not comfortable for anybody. I feel bad for him, I do.”
Larkin responded to the reception by waving after his name was announced before heading down the tunnel to the locker room.
Larkin has spent his entire NHL career with Detroit since the organization drafted him with the No. 15 overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. He was named captain in 2021 but lost the role in September after a summer-long saga involving a trade request.
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Entering the 2026-27 season, Larkin has recorded 276 goals and 367 assists for 643 points across 808 games with the Red Wings. He already ranks in the franchise’s all-time top 10 in goals and points.
Detroit struggled without Larkin against New York, with Rangers goaltender Dylan Garand recording his first career shutout as the Red Wings opened their season with a goalless home loss.
The Red Wings will look for their first victory of the season when they face the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
