Dylan Larkin may have played major role in Steve Yzerman's exit

Dylan Larkin and Todd McLellan now sit at the center of a Detroit reconciliation effort that reportedly helped push Steve Yzerman out.

Anthony Di Marco says a general manager told him roughly a month ago that the Red Wings were trying to repair their relationship with Larkin after his trade request.

The striking part is what reportedly came with that effort. Di Marco said moving Yzerman out was viewed as part of Detroit's attempt to reconcile with its captain.

That adds another layer to a front-office change already carrying major consequences for the organization. This may not have been only about Detroit's broader direction.

Larkin's reported rift with Yzerman had become one of the biggest issues hanging over the Red Wings, and Detroit clearly had reason to find out whether changing leadership could alter his stance.

So far, that hasn't produced the clean reset ownership would have wanted. Recent reporting has indicated Larkin still hasn't backed away from wanting a trade.

That leaves McLellan in an awkward position as camp approaches. His top centre could report while the organization is still trying to convince him that staying is the right move.

Anthony Di Marco: Re Dylan Larkin trade request/Red Wings: Speaking with a GM about a month ago, the opinion I got was that they are trying to reconcile with Larkin and part of that was moving Yzerman out - Campbell vs Gallo (8/10)
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NHLRR: Yzerman and Larkin's rift dated back

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Dylan Larkin connection emerges in Steve Yzerman's Red Wings exit

If Di Marco's information is accurate, the pressure on Detroit's next hockey boss rises immediately. Rebuilding trust with Larkin becomes more than a roster issue; it becomes an early test of the new structure.

The Red Wings also can't assume that removing one source of tension automatically fixes everything. Larkin's concerns may run deeper than his relationship with Yzerman.

That means Detroit still has two possible paths. Management can make another serious push to repair the relationship, or accept that Larkin's preference hasn't changed and reopen trade discussions.

Waiting carries its own risk. A captain entering camp under a cloud of trade speculation can dominate every media session and turn ordinary lineup decisions into larger stories.

McLellan needs clarity because Larkin remains central to Detroit's top six, special teams and locker-room hierarchy. Building a season plan around a player who may still want out creates obvious complications.

The new information also changes how Yzerman's departure will be viewed. If part of the decision was designed to keep Larkin, Detroit now needs evidence that the move actually improved its chances.

For the Red Wings, the next step can't simply be another meeting. They need a firm answer from Larkin before camp becomes the deadline they never officially set.

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Dylan Larkin may have played major role in Steve Yzerman's exit