Larkin says requesting trade from Red Wings 'wasn't easy'

DETROIT -- Dylan Larkin said Thursday he does not regret asking the Detroit Red Wings for a trade, but he left it unclear where his request stands and what the future might hold.

Larkin spoke publicly about the situation for the first time while sitting out the first day of training camp because of an upper-body injury sustained during an off-ice workout. He is no longer the captain after six seasons in that role.

"I asked for a trade from the Detroit Red Wings as the captain, and actions have consequences, and I understand why that decision was made, and I'm going to be professional about it," Larkin said.

Larkin grew up in the Detroit area and has spent his entire 11-season NHL career with the Red Wings. The 30-year-old center ranks 10th in their history with 643 points (276 goals, 367 assists) in 808 games.

But he has not appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2015-16, his rookie season. The Red Wings have failed to qualify for the playoffs the past 10 seasons, the longest drought in their history and the longest active drought in the NHL.

What triggered the trade request after last season?

"I'm not ready to go there yet," Larkin said. "I understand that there's answers that fans and people that care about this organization around the world want to know. But I'm really not ready to go there, and it's maybe something that I may never be, you know?

"It wasn't easy to get to that decision. It was very hard. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing. But I don't take what I did lightly, and I got to that point, and I'm not quite ready to talk about it."

Larkin was asked about his communication with former general manager Steve Yzerman.

"In any organization, competitive people are going to have differences, and I think that's what makes him great," Larkin said. "He's a competitive person, and he pushes for success, and I respect that a ton. I think I've learned a ton from him in terms of leadership. I thank him for that time."

Yzerman said June 27 Larkin's agent had asked for a trade and given Detroit a "short list of teams" he would consider waiving his no-trade clause to join. He said he could not guarantee Larkin's request would be met. By limiting the market, Larkin hurts the Red Wings' ability to receive what they feel is an appropriate return.

The Red Wings announced July 15 Yzerman would transition from GM to senior adviser. 

Amid the uncertainty, forward Patrick Kane left for the Chicago Blackhawks on July 23, signing a two-year, $16 million contract ($8 million average annual value). The Red Wings announced Friday they would start the season without a captain, then announced Tuesday assistant GM Shawn Horcoff would serve as interim GM while the search continues for a new leader of hockey operations.

Asked if any part of him regretted how the situation has unfolded, Larkin said no. He also said he never meant for the trade request to become public, he didn't foresee what would happen and some of it was out of his control. He declined to comment on the details of his trade request, whether it still stands or if there is any chance of a reconciliation.

"We've had good talks with Dylan, we're understanding of where he's come from and we're going to take this day by day," Horcoff said. "We're going to see where this goes. Appreciated that he was honest with us, and we were kind of honest back with him. Again, we're going to keep that private, but we're going to move forward."

Larkin said he has spoken to his teammates and will try to earn back their trust.

"I would say to you guys that it was not because of them, and that's as far as I'll go on that," Larkin said. "I've tried to give them space to let it sink in, and I wish so badly I could be on the ice, because that's where the actions will follow the talking."

Forward J.T. Compher said the players will keep the conversation private.

"It's always a little bit tough, but we're going to ask the same of Dylan as we ask of every guy in this room," Compher said. "If you're on our roster, if you're on our team, you need to do whatever it takes to help us win."

The Red Wings open the season against the New York Rangers at Little Caesars Arena on Oct. 2 (6:30 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, HBO MAX). If Larkin is in the lineup, how will the fans react?

"I can't really control that," Larkin said. "Obviously, they're passionate fans. There's frustration there. I'm frustrated as well, and I just hope that there's 22 other guys in the room. It's about them, not about one guy, so we're going to hopefully move on."

Larkin added: "I just want to play. I'm a hockey player, and there's a lot of people in there that I care deeply about -- players, staff. Just being around them, it's home, you know? One day at a time, one game at a time. Like the rest of the team, I'm excited to be a part of this team and back at the bottom of the totem pole, which is maybe kind of nice."

How do the Red Wings keep this from becoming a distraction?

"I don't have the answer to that question," coach Todd McLellan said. "I can sit up here and lie and try and beat around the bush. I have no idea what's in front of us. But I do know what we have in the locker room, and I do know he's got his teammates' support.

"He's done what he needs to do with his teammates, and he wants to earn their trust. He's sat with me, and he wants to do the same with the coaching staff. And then there's 19,000 people that'll sit in the rink each day. He's got to continue to do that, and he's determined to do it.

"Not going to be easy, I'm sure. But he's here, and he's a hell of a player, and we'll help him through it."