As the NHL's training camp approaches, the Detroit Red Wings find themselves in a peculiar situation with captain Dylan Larkin's future still uncertain. Larkin, who requested a trade on June 4th, remains a Red Wing due to the lack of an acceptable offer and the recent removal of former general manager Steve Yzerman from his role. With no new GM in place, the question arises: what will Larkin do if he's still a Wing next month? According to an NHL source, the organization believes Larkin will report to camp unless traded, but the current assistant GM, Shawn Horcoff, lacks the authority to make such a move. This leaves Larkin's situation in a state of flux, with potential consequences for both the player and the team.
Larkin's potential absence from the lineup is a significant concern for the Wings, who are already facing challenges in finding offensive production. The loss of Larkin, who had 34 goals and 67 points last season, would be a major setback. The team has already seen key players depart, including Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk, further exacerbating their offensive struggles. The addition of Viktor Arvidsson may provide some relief, but the absence of Larkin could hinder the effectiveness of linemate Lucas Raymond and impact Alex DeBrincat's performance.
The Wings' front office is in a state of transition, with owner Chris Ilitch hiring a search firm, TurnkeyZRG, to find a new general manager. The expectation is that Ilitch will seek an analytics-based GM, similar to the one he has with the Tigers. Jeff Greenberg, the Tigers' general manager, has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Wings. However, the search for a new GM is complicated by the Larkin saga and other pending issues, such as the unsigned restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson and the upcoming free agency of Alex DeBrincat.
The Red Wings' future remains uncertain, with many questions surrounding Larkin's status, the search for a new GM, and the team's overall direction. As training camp approaches, the organization must navigate these challenges to determine their course for the upcoming season. The Wings' fans eagerly await the resolution of these issues, hoping for a positive outcome that will bring success back to the franchise.
