The Dylan Larkin saga just took a huge turn. Coach Todd McLellan said Thursday morning that his captain won't play tonight against Chicago, and it sure looks like we've seen the last of him in a 
Red Wings sweater.
What we know
Per Elliotte Friedman and Sportsnet, Larkin told the team Wednesday night that he won't play again until he's traded. His agent Pat Brisson even flew to Detroit this week to meet him face to face. Pierre LeBrun reports Larkin's camp told the Wings he's given them plenty of time since his trade request back in May. Frank Seravalli describes it as asset protection until a deal gets done. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff is set to address the media and a team statement is expected.
Who's in the race
Darren Dreger says Larkin's camp feels some deals with teams on his 10 team list came close, but Detroit won't take a futures heavy return and wants a decent player or two back. Per David Pagnotta, the Capitals, Wild, Devils and 
Hurricanes have all talked with Detroit this week, and the 
Canadiens are still holding out hope. Pagnotta also hears the Wings like the Protas brothers, Aliaksei and Ilya, in Washington. These are still rumors, nothing is done yet. Follow the full thread on our rumors page.
Pool take
If you have Larkin (6 points in 10 games, per the NHL), he gives you nothing tonight and likely nothing until he's moved. In daily leagues, get him out of your lineup. In season long leagues, don't you dare drop him: a top line center landing in a new spot can come out flying.
In Detroit, his absence opens up minutes down the middle. Andrew Copp, Michael Rasmussen and Nate Danielson are the natural candidates to move up, though none of them has produced much so far (3, 3 and 2 points). The bigger worry is for Larkin's wingers. Alex DeBrincat (13 points) and Lucas Raymond (11 points) are still must starts, but their production could dip a little while the lines get sorted out. And if one of the Protas brothers comes back in a deal, we'll be watching closely.
We'll update this story as soon as a trade is announced.
