Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin will miss at least the club's first two games of the season, head coach Todd McLellan said Thursday, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
Larkin missed the entire preseason due to an upper-body injury. He arrived at training camp after a drama-filled offseason stemming from a trade request that became public after 11 seasons with the club.
The Red Wings stripped Larkin of his captaincy, but a potential trade doesn't appear imminent. Larkin initially gave Detroit a list of four teams he'd waive his no-movement clause for and reportedly expanded the list recently.
In Larkin's first media appearance since requesting a trade, he said he wasn't ready to discuss why he wants out.
Owner Chris Ilitch indicated in September that the club is in no rush to trade him, acknowledging that Larkin may remain with the Red Wings all season.
Former Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman stepped down from his role shortly after Larkin's trade request. The club didn't name a replacement until mid-September, when Shawn Horcoff took over on an interim basis. On top of figuring out a solution for Larkin, Horcoff is tasked with signing restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson. The 23-year-old attended Detroit's training camp but recently flew back to Sweden as he awaits a new deal.
The Red Wings begin their regular season Friday against the New York Rangers, then host the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.
Detroit missed the playoffs last season for the 10th consecutive year.
