Red Wings Fans Boo Larkin Amid Trade Request at Season Opener

Detroit Red Wings fans loudly booed Dylan Larkin during pregame introductions before the Oct. 2, 2026 season opener against the New York Rangers. Out with an upper-body injury on non-roster IR retroactive to Aug. 15, he stood on the bench in street clothes, gave a small stiff wave, kept a tight-lipped neutral face, then left for the tunnel with a curt nod. He is expected to miss at least the first two games. Steve Yzerman confirmed June 27 that shortly after the season Larkin's agent called to say he wanted a trade. Detroit stripped him of the captaincy held since January 2021 before training camp. Larkin said asking out "has consequences" and told reporters, "Obviously, they're passionate fans. There's frustration there. I'm frustrated as well." He scored 34 goals in 74 games last season as Detroit missed the playoffs for a 10th straight year. Fans chanted "Sell the team!" at owner Christopher Ilitch after the Rangers scored an early power-play goal. On TNT, Paul Bissonnette called the introduction "bush league" and claimed Larkin tried to leave through a hallway before being sent back out. Shawn Horcoff is interim GM after Yzerman's exit. Larkin has a full no-trade clause through 2027-28.