Overview
- The Red Wings activated Dylan Larkin from non‑roster injured reserve and cleared him to play on Tuesday, and he made his season debut that night against the Ottawa Senators.
- Larkin was booed when he stepped onto the ice but scored a go‑ahead goal and added an assist in the 5‑3 win, earning first‑star honors and shifting much of the arena’s mood to cheers.
- He missed training camp and the first two regular‑season games with an off‑ice upper‑body injury that required medical clearance before his return.
- The trade request Larkin made in June remains active because his full no‑trade protections give him control over destinations, Detroit is seeking a young, NHL‑ready return, and salary‑cap limits among suitors complicate any deal while Shawn Horcoff serves as interim GM.
- Larkin’s choice to keep playing rather than hold out has immediate benefits on the ice and could soften public hostility, but the deeper organizational and contractual barriers mean his long‑term future with the Red Wings is still unsettled.