DETROIT – Dylan Larkin appeared downtrodden when he addressed the media on April 19. Steve Yzerman was defiant and on the defensive when he spoke on Tuesday.

These are trying times for the Detroit Red Wings. They have missed the playoffs nine consecutive seasons, a franchise-high, and there are indications of unrest.

First, Larkin expressed his disappointment that no significant moves were made at the March 7 trade deadline, saying, “I felt the group kind of, we didn’t gain any momentum from the trade deadline, and guys were kind of down about it, so it’d be nice to add something and bring a little bit of a spark on the ice and maybe a morale boost as well.”

Nobody asked him six weeks after the fact about the trade deadline; he just slipped that in while answering a question about the team’s struggles in March the past two seasons.

That clearly didn’t sit well with Yzerman. He walked into his season-ending media briefing with a red folder containing notes and opened with a lengthy statement, which is rare for him. He defended his decision to essentially stand pat at the deadline (they added depth pieces in goaltender Petr Mrazek and checking-line winger Craig Smith), saying no higher-impact players could be had without parting with prime prospects or high draft picks, which he wasn’t prepared to do.

He seemed to be responding not only to Larkin, but media and fans who have been critical of his reluctance and/or inability to make a major trade.

He is sure to make trades this offseason because the thin free-agent market might not offer much help. Among the top UFAs (Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, John Tavares, Brock Boeser, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad), some likely will re-sign with their current clubs by July 1 and there will be a lot of competition for those who hit the market.

Yzerman probably will need to swing a trade to upgrade the roster.

Don’t expect Larkin to be included in any deal, despite what appears to be some turbulence.

First, Larkin has a full no-trade clause for three more seasons as part of his eight-year, $69.6 million contract that started in 2023-24.

Sometimes a player will waive his no-trade clause for a desirable destination if he feels it’s time to move on or if the club indicates its desire to part ways. But Larkin grew up in metro Detroit and takes pride in wearing the ‘C,’ so it seems unlikely he’d agree to go or ask to be moved.

Also consider that the Red Wings’ lengthy rebuild might be set back if he departs. They would need another first-line center and they’re difficult to acquire. Marco Kasper is slotted onto the second line and Nate Danielson appears to be a future third-line center.

Larkin did not play well after the 4 Nations Face-Off break (seven goals, 20 points in 27 games) – Yzerman and coach Todd McLellan spoke of how a playoff team’s best players must be their best players down the stretch. Larkin still finished with 30 goals and 70 points for a team that needs more offense.

The Red Wings need to surround him with better players.

Larkin, who turns 29 on July 30, has appeared in only five playoff games, none since his rookie season in 2015-16. The drought has taken its toll, which is understandable. You wouldn’t want a leader who doesn’t deem that unacceptable.

Perhaps Larkin won’t be a lifetime Red Wing like the captains that preceded him – Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg. But there’s no need to expedite his departure.