All signs point to the Detroit Red Wings regaining Dylan Larkin for their next game.
Coach Todd McLellan held off on making it official, and Larkin was not made available to reporters, but he took part in Monday’s practice as if he were playing on Tuesday, when the Wings host the Ottawa Senators.
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“I’m confident that he’s improving,” McLellan said Monday at Little Caesars Arena. “He’s confident that he’s improving. He had a good practice today, but I can’t tell you whether he’ll be in or not. I don’t know that answer right now. It’ll be a game time [decision], I’m sure.”
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin skates with the puck in the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights at Little Caesars Arena, March 4, 2026.
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Larkin was injured March 6 during a game against the Florida Panthers when he pulled up to take a shot and his right leg buckled awkwardly. It looked bad when it happened, and Larkin grimaced in pain, but within days it was determined not to be season-ending. Larkin joined the team for the trip March 8-14 to continue undergoing treatment, and began skating on his own March 18. From there, he took light, non-contact part in practices and morning skates.
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Larkin was with Emmitt Finnie and Michael-Brandsegg-Nygård at practice, but the latter was place-holding for Lucas Raymond, who had a maintenance day. Larkin also took part in the special-teams drills, on the first power-play unit. Seeing him that active and seemingly so close to returning was a welcome sight for teammates.
“He’s the best player on the team and our leader,” David Perron said. “I think all the experiences he’s had over the last couple of years, you can see a lot of growth in many departments. I’m very proud of him. I’m excited to see him play again tomorrow and be on his side.”
The Wings are 3-3-1 since Larkin’s injury.
“I think ever since he’s been down, it’s a big hole in the lineup,” Patrick Kane said. “And obviously, as our leader, our captain, too, I think a lot of us wanted to play for him in some way or another to put us into a good enough spot where when he’s coming back, we’re still in the thick of things.”
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The Wings (38-24-8, 84 pts) have 12 games remaining and are one point out of a playoff spot behind the New York Islanders.
When Larkin returns, the Wings will have to decide whether to send down another forward, or switch it from “emergency” classification to a regular call-up transaction.
The Wings did make one personnel move Monday, assigning 21-year-old rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka to the minors. He has not played in seven games, since March 6, the day the Wings acquired veteran defenseman Justin Faulk.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dylan Larkin injury update: Red Wings captain expected to return to lineup