Dylan Larkin faces fan backlash after trade request

The Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade from his hometown team, according to insider Elliotte Friedman. Now, a two-month-old video of Larkin has resurfaced, where he speaks about how much he wants to stay in Detroit. Fans are outraged by the video.

Dylan Larkin was born less than an hour from Detroit and was drafted by the Red Wings 15th overall in 2014. For the past six seasons, Larkin has captained the team in hopes of getting them back to being the powerhouse they were in the early 2000s.

Dylan Larkin trade request

But the Detroit Red Wings have only made it to one postseason since Larkin’s debut season in 2015–2016, when they lost 4–1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
On Thursday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman broke the news that Larkin had requested a trade from his hometown team. However, no one has yet commented on the news. General manager Steve Yzerman has not spoken, nor have Larkin or his agent.

Old video resurfaced

Now, a two-month-old video of Larkin has resurfaced, and it’s making fans outraged. The video shows Larkin talking about how much it means to him to play in Detroit and how much he wants to win a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings.
“I can tell you right now confidently, winning a Stanley Cup would mean a whole lot more than that. That’s the ultimate goal. Steve’s our GM now, and I signed an eight-year deal here because I believe in him and I trust him. It truly is a privilege to play in the NHL, but also in your hometown and be the captain of the team. It doesn’t feel real sometimes,” Larkin says in the video.

Fans are outraged

Fans are now calling out Larkin over the video and the fact that he has now requested a trade.
“He’s probably nice. But he doesn’t seem like someone who can put the team on his shoulders like great captains do,” one fan wrote on X.
“You can tell he’s mentally checked out in this convo. He’s saying what he’s supposed to say, but he clearly didn’t feel that way,” another wrote.
“He’s soft, has a terrible attitude, horrific leadership skills, and is anti-clutch,” a third chimed in.

You can watch the interview below.