Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin isn't hiding from the fan base's boos after returning to play despite his active trade request.
"I was ready for it on the home opener. It's part of it. I'm trying to be a man and face it," Larkin said after making his season debut in Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. "I understand why that's happening, but again, like I said at the start of the season, I was gonna try to show up with my play, and it was nice to be out there with the guys and get a win."
Larkin was named the first star after tallying a goal and an assist. He'd missed the Red Wings' first two games and the entire preseason with an upper-body injury, and Detroit started 0-2 without him.
Larkin, who was stripped of the captaincy in September, was booed mercilessly upon being introduced as one of the scratches before Detroit's home opener. He again heard it from Red Wings fans when he touched the puck Tuesday.
The boos rain down in Detroit as Dylan Larkin steps on the ice 🫣 https://t.co/KsykvZFsIH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 6, 2026
The Michigan native admitted the fan sentiment was on his mind when he scored.
"Like I said, I'm trying to be a man and face it. I don't wanna offend anyone with overcelebrating, with knowing the situation that's going on," Larkin said. "With all that, scoring a goal in the NHL, scoring a goal for this team when we needed it, it felt pretty good."
Larkin isn't sure that he's yet earned his teammates' trust back after one game, considering his desire to leave.
"I don't know about trust; that thing usually takes time. But I know with the group of guys in hockey, it's through actions not words," Larkin said.
