Why did Dylan Larkin request a trade? Steve Yzerman has possible roadblocks to deal

Dylan Larkin’s push to leave the Detroit Red Wings highlights a franchise at a crossroads as long-simmering tensions surface after his eight-year contract with an $8.7 million AAV, signed in 2023. Reports on June 5 tie the strain to that deal and to Detroit’s conservative approach at the 2025 trade deadline, when Larkin publicly criticized general manager Steve Yzerman. Larkin, who turns 30 this July, also carries a no-trade clause that gives him substantial control over his destination. Yzerman faces pressure to execute a rebuild without sacrificing the team’s credibility or competitiveness. The 2026 deadline moves were tepid, underscoring the challenge ahead.