Dylan Larkin trade 'unlikely to happen' before season

The saga surrounding Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings has been one of the most talked-about storylines of the offseason, and as we inch closer to training camp, it's becoming increasingly clear that this situation isn't going to get wrapped up with a nice little bow anytime soon. For a fanbase that's been riding an emotional rollercoaster since Larkin's trade request became public a couple of months ago, the latest developments are probably going to test their patience even further.

No Trade, No Holdout, No Resolution

According to reporting from Bob Duff, the growing consensus around the league is that the Red Wings simply won't be able to move Larkin before the season begins. The biggest factor working against any potential deal? Detroit doesn't even have a General Manager right now following Steve Yzerman's departure. Without someone at the helm to negotiate and finalize a trade, the likelihood of Larkin being shipped out before camp opens is slim to none.

Perhaps more importantly, Larkin and his camp have reportedly not even entertained the idea of a holdout. That means the Red Wings captain fully intends to show up to training camp and suit up for the team when the regular season kicks off, even though he clearly wants to be elsewhere. Larkin is set to earn $8.7 million this season, and walking away from that kind of money would be a disastrous move on his part. The Red Wings would have every right to suspend him without pay if he refused to report, and that's not a gamble worth taking for anyone.

There's also the practical reality that sitting out wouldn't exactly help Larkin's trade value. If the Red Wings are already struggling to drum up enough interest from other teams, a player refusing to play and sitting at home isn't going to make suitors come running. Say what you want about the situation, but Larkin isn't a foolish guy. He's been spotted training hard this summer, putting in serious offseason work alongside other NHL players. The man loves hockey. He just doesn't seem to love playing it in Detroit anymore.

An Awkward Road Ahead in Hockeytown

Even with Larkin planning to report, the dynamics inside the locker room and at Little Caesars Arena are going to be fascinating and potentially uncomfortable. It's hard to imagine Larkin retaining the captaincy after publicly requesting a trade, and the reception from fans is almost certainly going to be hostile. A significant portion of the Red Wings faithful has turned on their former favorite, and while some fans have pointed out that the blame shouldn't fall entirely on Larkin's shoulders, the feeling of betrayal runs deep for many.

The locker room situation is even harder to predict. Larkin's teammates are professionals who can probably empathize with his desire to move on, but there's no getting around the fact that requesting a trade chips away at the trust and loyalty that holds a team together. For the guys who genuinely want to be in Detroit and are committed to the rebuild, seeing their captain try to bail isn't exactly a morale booster.

Detroit's management, led by owner Chris Ilitch, appears to be banking on the idea that Yzerman's departure might help cool things down between the organization and Larkin. That's an optimistic take, to say the least. There's a real risk that bringing Larkin back into the fold without resolving the underlying issues could poison a season that the Red Wings desperately need to be a step forward. The smartest play might be to take the best available offer and rip the bandage off, but for now, it looks like Larkin will be wearing the Winged Wheel when the puck drops this fall, whether anyone in Hockeytown likes it or not.