The Minnesota Wild host the New York Islanders tonight at 7 p.m. CDT. Meanwhile, Dylan Larkin, the player they’ve been chasing on the trade market since the 2025-26 NHL season ended, took another giant step away from the Detroit Red Wings.

Dylan Larkin skipped the Red Wings’ optional morning skate, on the same day coach Todd McLellan revealed he will not play tonight against Chicago. Earlier Thursday, according to reports, Larkin’s camp turned up the pressure on Detroit in order to escalate trade talks.

Red Wings suspend Dylan Larkin without pay

Then, just hours later, Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff put out a statement from the Red Wings that confirmed Larkin’s refusal to play for Detroit any longer and officially announced that the former captain is being suspended without pay.

“Dylan Larkin has informed us that he will no longer play for the Detroit Red Wings. We are disappointed by his decision, particularly given his obligations to the organization and his teammates. We have therefore suspended Dylan without pay.

We will continue to explore trade opportunities involving Dylan. In addition to needing his approval, any trade must also be in the best interests of the Detroit Red Wings and support the organization’s long-term goals.

I want to thank and commend our coaches and players for their continued focus, and being committed to competing every day.”

Shawn Horcoff, via Detroit Red Wings

Larkin told the team Wednesday night that he won’t play until he’s traded. According to Emily Kaplan (ESPN), the Minnesota Wild remain among the favorites to land the 29-year-old gold medal winning center.

Larkin first asked for a trade back in May. That led to Detroit stripping him of his captaincy on Sept. 11. He had worn the C since January 2021. His agent, Pat Brisson, released a statement through Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic) before the suspension came down.

“Dylan’s had enough of the situation. We believe he’s been very professional and cooperative through this process.”

Pat Brisson (via Pierre LeBrun)

What the suspension means for his wallet and the MN Wild

The suspension will cost Larkin some serious cash. Every day that he sits out, the Michigan native and University of Michigan alum will forfeit $41,237.11, per Darren Dreger (TSN). That adds up to $288,659.77 a week.

Larkin is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $69.6 million contract that carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31, per PuckPedia. Tonight against Chicago is the first game he’ll miss. After that, Detroit hosts St. Louis on Saturday, then visits Florida on Nov. 2 and Tampa Bay on Nov. 3.

The Minnesota Wild are one of 10 teams on Larkin’s trade list. Red Wings executives have also scouted multiple MN Wild games this month. According to Ansar Khan (MLive), the Wild “have been aggressively pursuing him for months but haven’t had the assets needed to make a deal.”

Khan also reported that Detroit wants NHL-ready players back rather than prospects or picks. Horcoff says the same thing. Any deal has to “support the organization’s long-term goals,” and it still needs Larkin’s approval. The MN Wild enter tonight 9-3-2 and first in the Central Division. Detroit is 5-4-3 and eighth in the Atlantic.

League sources told Michael Russo and Joe Smith (The Athletic) the Wild have repeatedly made a futures-based offer and have even pitched the Detroit Red Wings on flipping those assets for immediate help.

A package could include a young center like Danila Yurov or Charlie Stramel, a forward like Ryan Hartman or Bobby Brink, and multiple first-round picks. The Athletic also noted Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy aren’t going anywhere.