Red Wings fans showed up tonight in Dylan Larkin jerseys with paper bags over their heads, and the image summed up Detroit's mess.
The feelings are complicated. Those fans bought those sweaters to celebrate a franchise player, and now they're wearing them while hiding their faces.
Larkin reportedly requested a trade this summer and lost the captaincy. Fans booed him at the home opener as he was introduced with the scratches.
Then tonight, he went after Ridly Greig for a hit on Alex DeBrincat, sparking a full-team scrum against Ottawa.
That's the confusion in a nutshell. The same player some fans are ashamed of just stood up for a teammate right in front of them.
It isn't only about one player. Simon Edvinsson reportedly prefers a trade, tickets for this game were going for as little as $14, and fans chanted "sell the team" at the opener.
Detroit's front office faces a fan base caught between pride and shame
Steve Yzerman is gone, and Shawn Horcoff is running things on an interim basis. Elliotte Friedman suggested an Edvinsson deal could help Detroit reshape any Larkin trade.
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The Red Wings entered the night 0-2-0 and host Seattle on Friday.
The paper bags are embarrassing, and the embarrassment belongs to the people running this franchise. Ownership should take it personally.
It's like wearing your favourite band's shirt to the concert the week after they announce the breakup.
Larkin has played all 808 of his NHL games in Detroit. That's what makes this hurt more than a typical trade saga.
Fans can't decide whether to cheer him or hide. Until ownership fixes what led here, more paper bags will keep showing up in the stands.
Are Red Wings fans right to wear paper bags at games?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Dylan Larkin's emotions get the best of him as he sparks a wild full-line brawl all by himself
