Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has broken his silence on Dylan Larkin’s trade request.
“I cannot make any guarantees,” Yzerman said about the possibility of trading the team captain.
On June 4, the news broke that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who has worn the “C” for the past six seasons, wants out. Through his agent, Larkin submitted a trade request. Eventually, a shortlist of teams he would be willing to join was also presented to the Red Wings’ front office.
READ MORE: Fans react to Dylan Larkin’s 3-team trade list
Dylan Larkin trade request
The reported teams were the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights. Dylan Larkin was drafted 15th overall by the Red Wings in 2014. Born in Michigan, Larkin has long been viewed as the hometown star. And that he would bring the Stanley Cup back to Detroit. However, in his 11 seasons with the Red Wings, the team has made the playoffs only once. That came during the 2015–2016 season, Larkin’s NHL debut.
Steve Yzerman shares response
Now, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman—who himself served as the Red Wings’ captain for 19 seasons—has addressed Dylan Larkin’s trade request.
“I will be deliberately brief here. Shortly after the season, I received a phone call from Dylan Larkin’s agent. Informing me that Dylan would like to be traded. A week or so after that, Dylan’s agent followed up. It was a short list of teams that Dylan would consider waiving his no-trade clause to go to,” Yzerman said during a video press conference.
Yzerman then continued:
“Having said that, Dylan Larkin has five years remaining on his contract. My job as the manager of the Detroit Red Wings is always to do what is in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings. And I will act accordingly. So I cannot make any guarantees, and I did not make any guarantees, that that request could or would be met. There is certainly a lot of uncertainty around that. So, for the time being, I can confirm that, yes, that request was made. I think I will be in a position to maybe answer more questions and be more specific in the future. Today, I would just like to leave it at that,” Yzerman said.
You can watch the video below.
READ MORE: Darren McCarty’s honest take on Dylan Larkin’s trade request
