{"id":470126,"date":"2026-02-24T20:53:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/470126\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:53:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:53:13","slug":"red-wings-expect-larkin-to-play-thursday-detroit-hockey-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/470126\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Wings Expect Larkin to Play Thursday \/ Detroit Hockey Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Asked by reporters about the present whereabouts of Captain Dylan Larkin<\/a>, Detroit<\/a> Red Wings coach Todd McLellan<\/a> planted tongue firmly in cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cMIA,\u201d McLellan said.<\/p>\n

In reality, the Red Wings know exactly what\u2019s going on with Larkin<\/a>, and when they expect to see him in person again.<\/p>\n

Todd McLellan provides an update on Dylan Larkin\u2019s return (he\u2019s not MIA\ud83e\udd23) @DetroitRedWings<\/a> #LGRW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zn4IpV4aLW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I understand, obviously the President\u2019s invited that team to Washington (for Tuesday\u2019s State of the Union Address),\u201d McLellan said. \u201cAnd I believe that\u2019s where they\u2019re at. And if all goes well and weather and flights and everything cooperate, I think he can sleep in his own bed late tonight.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019ll have him around the arena tomorrow. I\u2019m not sure if he\u2019ll skate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The one thing McLellan and his staff are certain about is where Larkin will be when the team returns to NHL regular-season action on Thursday in Ottawa against the Senators.<\/p>\n

\u201cExpect him to be on the plane and then be a factor in Ottawa on Thursday night,\u201d McLellan said.<\/p>\n

Red Wings Practice Returning To Normal<\/p>\n

Detroit\u2019s two other Olympians, defenseman Moritz Seider<\/a> and forward Lucas Raymond<\/a>, were both back at practice on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Look who\u2019s back! pic.twitter.com\/m80YWWtbHR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Playing for Germany, Seider believes his first taste of Olympic hockey deepened his love for the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a lot of joy,\u201d Seider said of the experience. \u201cI think it was a lot of fun playing in those games in every single one, no matter if you win or lose. And that\u2019s something I really want to take away.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust remember why it\u2019s such a fun sport to play, and I think I just should remind myself every single day of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raymond and Sweden lost to Larkin and the USA in a 2-1 quarterfinal overtime setback. He believes that heartbreak will only serve to fortify his determination to get the Red Wings into the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the spring of 2016.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to come back from a break like that, energized, and I feel like that,\u201d Raymond said. \u201cI feel ready to go here. Obviously, leaves a little bitter, bittersweet taste, leaving like we did in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo kind of just want to get going here. So I\u2019m excited to be back here. I feel good, and I\u2019m ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

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