The number one storyline in all of the NHL right now is Dylan Larkin, who is now willfully sitting out of the Detroit Red Wings' games after having previously requested a trade out of the organization this summer. Several teams have been linked to the star centerman, including the Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and New Jersey Devils.
Some Devils fans have expressed concerns about Larkin's mindset and loyalty, given the way that he went about his trade request. After all, he's been in the headlines for quite a while, with a public trade request, a stripped captaincy, and now a public sit-out of his remaining obligations to the team. That said, there is a reason for all of that, and it shouldn't be a concern at all.
Fans outside of Detroit shouldn't blame Dylan Larkin for his stance
Larkin spent 12 years in mediocrity, knowing the situation he stepped into would take time, but ultimately enduring far more hockey purgatory than he should have. Under Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings completely failed to remain relevant, with the longest current playoff drought of any NHL organization (10 years). Yzerman's drafting philosophy largely did not work out despite years of early first-round picks, nor did his signings or trades translate into any short- or long-term success. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule -- Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and Alex DeBrincat were all strong draft picks or acquisitions -- but the big-picture idea is that most avenues Yzerman took as GM led to dead ends.
Larkin is 30 years old and has not been to the postseason since his rookie campaign -- it's no wonder that he wants to go somewhere he can win, and no wonder that the ten teams(!) he would accept a trade to are ten of the highest-odds organizations for the Stanley Cup. Some of the original pushback to his original three-team trade list was warranted, given the unrealistic nature of those teams actually being able to bid for the center, but the reality of the situation is that his full no-trade clause was negotiated into the deal. Expanding it to ten teams, who have seemingly been able to buck up enough promising trade proposals that Larkin and his agent felt the urge to sit out until a deal was made, was a luxury that Detroit wasn't entitled to.
Heck, the Red Wings haven't even replaced Yzerman yet, nor have they negotiated anything meaningful with Simon Edvinsson, who also requested out of the organization (and for good reason). By all accounts, the Red Wings are a shambolic organization at this point in time. No employee would endure that at any company for 12 years.
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