Dylan Larkin heard the Detroit crowd turn on him Friday, while Todd McLellan prepared the Red Wings to open their home schedule.
The reaction came during player introductions. Instead of the familiar reception for one of Detroit's biggest names, loud boos rolled through the building as Larkin appeared on the scoreboard.
It was a jarring scene for a player drafted 15th overall by Detroit in 2014 and tied so closely to the organization for more than a decade.
Larkin entered the night with 643 points across 808 regular-season games. He remains one of the most productive Red Wings of his generation.
But he wasn't in McLellan's lineup against the New York Rangers. Detroit's current player status lists Larkin as day-to-day with an upper-body issue and unavailable until at least October 6.
The clip captures the moment clearly: Larkin appears on the arena video board during introductions and the crowd immediately responds with a heavy chorus of boos.
-
Detroit crowd sends Dylan Larkin a clear message
That response changed the feel of the home opener before puck drop. A night built around introducing the Red Wings roster instead became another reminder of the uncertainty surrounding Larkin.
Detroit also has major money tied to him. Larkin carries an $8,700,000 cap hit on a contract running through the 2030-31 season.
That makes any uncertainty around his future far bigger than a routine lineup absence. Steve Yzerman is dealing with a centerpiece contract, a top-six center and a player who has spent his entire NHL run in Detroit.
-
The timing only adds pressure. Detroit entered Friday still waiting to play its first regular-season game, with the Rangers arriving for the home opener.
McLellan now has to manage the hockey side while the noise around Larkin grows. Every game Larkin misses creates another opening in the middle and another question about Detroit's top-six deployment.
And the fans made their position impossible to miss Friday.
Whatever comes next, Larkin's introduction showed how quickly the mood has shifted in Detroit. The building that once greeted him as a franchise centerpiece gave him one of the coldest receptions of opening night.
Should the Red Wings move Dylan Larkin if he wants out?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Dylan Larkin officially removed from Red Wings roster and they announced a move
