DETROIT (AP) — Dylan Larkin is in the lineup for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night against Ottawa after asking for a trade, getting stripped of the captaincy, reporting to training camp, missing the start of the season because of injury and getting booed by home fans during introductions prior to their first game.
Larkin remains in limbo several months after his trade request became public and Detroit’s longtime general manager, Steve Yzerman, was abruptly moved out of that role in mid-July. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff said Larkin was injured in off-ice training and would miss the start of camp.
Coach Todd McLellan said following the morning skate that Larkin would play against the unbeaten Senators as long as the 30-year-old center was cleared by doctors. Larkin was activated off injured reserve prior to taking the ice for pregame warmups.
Larkin is a Michigan native who has played his entire NHL career with Detroit, which last made the playoffs in his rookie season a decade ago. That is the longest active drought of any of the league's 32 teams.
Fans at the home opener taped over Larkin's name with such things as “Loser," “Traitor” and “Leavin" and at times chanted, “Sell the team."
Larkin initially last spring gave the Red Wings only three destinations he'd accept a trade to — Florida, Minnesota and Vegas — before reportedly adding more possibilities in recent weeks.
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