Story Summary
Dylan Larkin is a game-time decision for the Detroit Red Wings‘ home game against the Ottawa Senators after an upper-body injury sustained during off-season training delayed his start to the season.
Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said Larkin must be cleared by a doctor before he can play. The 30-year-old centre skated between Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson at the morning skate and also worked on the power play.
Larkin reported to training camp but was initially unable to participate because of the injury. He later returned to practice, though he did not appear in the pre-season or Detroit’s first two regular-season games.
Key Facts
- Todd McLellan said Dylan Larkin will play against Ottawa if he is medically cleared.
- Larkin skated at centre between Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson during the morning skate and was used on the power play.
- The upper-body injury was sustained in off-season training and initially prevented Larkin from participating at training camp.
- Larkin requested a trade after last season and lost the Red Wings captaincy entering this season.
- Detroit have scored two goals across their first two games: a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers and a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
- Larkin recorded an NHL career-high 34 goals last season and finished with 67 points, comprising 34 goals and 33 assists, in 74 games.
- From 2021-26, Larkin scored 160 goals, 37 more than any other Detroit player in that span.
- Larkin ranks 10th in Red Wings history with 643 points, including 276 goals and 367 assists, in 808 games.
- He signed an eight-year, $69.6 million contract with an $8.7 million annual average value on March 1, 2023.
- Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton are week to week, while J.T. Compher is day to day; all three forwards are out against Ottawa.
IHM Discussion
Detroit have kept Larkin involved in the club’s preparations despite his absence from the opening two games. His place between Raymond and Arvidsson at morning skate, plus his power-play work, gives a clear indication of the role available should the required medical clearance arrive.
That potential return comes while the Red Wings are short of forwards. Kasper, Appleton and Compher are all unavailable against Ottawa, and Detroit’s opening two games have produced only two goals. Larkin’s scoring record makes his status especially significant: he has reached 30 goals in each of the past five seasons and six times overall.
There is also a notable backdrop to the decision. Larkin requested a trade after last season and entered this campaign without the captaincy, while fans booed him during introductions before the home opener. None of that changes the immediate medical threshold set by McLellan: Larkin’s availability depends on clearance.
Why It Matters
Larkin remains Detroit’s No. 1 centre and one of its most proven finishers. His 34 goals last season were a career high, and his 160 goals from 2021-26 underline the volume of production the Red Wings have been without at the start of the campaign.
With three other forwards ruled out against Ottawa, a cleared Larkin would give Detroit an experienced centre option and a player already placed in a scoring-line and power-play setting at morning skate. Until clearance is confirmed, however, his status remains a game-time decision.
Mini Q&A
Why has Dylan Larkin not played for Detroit this season?
Larkin sustained an upper-body injury during off-season training. He reported to training camp but could not initially participate, and although he returned to practice, he missed the pre-season and Detroit’s first two regular-season games.
What must happen for Larkin to play against Ottawa?
He must be cleared by a doctor. Todd McLellan said Larkin will play if that clearance is granted.
Where was Larkin used at morning skate?
He skated at centre between Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson and worked on the power play.
Coach Mark Comment
The morning-skate deployment is appropriately direct: if Larkin is cleared, Detroit have a familiar offensive structure ready rather than needing to improvise one late. The important coaching discipline is to let the medical decision set the pace. A player returning from an upper-body issue should not be judged by the need for offence alone, particularly with the club already managing several forward absences.
What Comes Next
The next checkpoint is the medical clearance decision before Detroit face Ottawa. McLellan’s position is straightforward: if Larkin is cleared, he will play.
IHM Final View
Larkin’s status is the central decision for Detroit against Ottawa. The Red Wings have prepared him for a prominent role, but his first appearance of the season still rests on medical clearance after an injury-disrupted training camp and missed pre-season.