McLellan Says Larkin Wanted to Be on Ice for Boos
After Detroit's 2-0 loss to the Rangers, coach Todd McLellan said Dylan Larkin chose to take part in pregame introductions and wanted to stand with teammates who were not dressed. McLellan acknowledged Larkin has to deal with fallout from asking for a trade and said he felt bad for him. A TNT panel criticized the Red Wings' handling of the moment, while McLellan said he could not hear the chants.
Detroit fell 2-0 to New York at home. Larkin, sidelined by an upper-body injury and on injured reserve, did not play. McLellan said the center asked to join the introduction ceremony alongside teammates who were scratched, rather than remain apart from them. The coach also said he could not distinguish the crowd chants from his vantage point.
Larkin's trade request came June 4 after Detroit's 10th consecutive playoff miss. He later lost the captaincy he had worn for six years. Eight clubs are on his approved trade list, and owner Chris Ilitch said in September the organization is not hurrying a deal. The Rangers' Dylan Garand earned his first NHL shutout with 22 saves; Sean Durzi and Eeli Tolvanen scored.
The episode may shape how fans, players, and prospective free agents view Detroit's handling of a disgruntled star. Public booing could add emotional strain for Larkin and teammates, while the club's response may affect its reputation in player circles. For supporters, it could deepen frustration during a long playoff drought, though it may also express accountability. The long-term effects likely depend on how the trade request and season unfold.