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Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman Breaks Silence on Relationship with Dylan Larkin

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 11:58 AM ET

The Detroit Red Wings missing the postseason for the ninth consecutive season left visible frustration in the locker room.

For the first time since friction between general manager Steve Yzerman and team captain Dylan Larkin surfaced, Yzerman has publicly addressed his relationship with his player.

Appearing on "NHL on TNT" before Detroit’s matchup with the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, Yzerman dismissed any notion of a rift with Larkin following the captain's pointed comments about the front office’s lack of action at the 2024-25 trade deadline.

“I don’t wanna speak for Dylan. I’d like to think we have a great relationship,” Yzerman said. “I enjoy talking with him; he’s very open with me. We communicate very well. I think we have a great relationship.”

Steve Yzerman joined the boys during the first intermission to talk about the Wings start to the year + why Swedes make the best Red Wings pic.twitter.com/HS44Ojhnq7
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) October 16, 2025

Added Yzerman: “His comments at the end of the season aren’t that big of a deal, and certainly didn’t create any divide in the relationship between he and I.”

Larkin was visibly disappointed last April after Detroit failed to make a significant addition at the 2025 NHL trade deadline, saying the team “didn’t gain any momentum” from the lack of moves.

“I think, especially March, it was hard and we didn't do anything,” Larkin said. “And I felt the group, we didn't gain any momentum from the trade deadline, and guys were kinda down about it. It'd be nice to add something and bring a spark on the ice and a morale boost as well.”

The Red Wings made just two minor trades before the deadline, swapping goaltender Ville Husso to the Anaheim Ducks and acquiring Petr Mrazek and forward Craig Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman announces a draft pick.Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Yzerman later defended his trade-deadline approach, saying “there [were] no deals to bring in anyone of any significance that we really felt would make a difference,” per The Athletic, but didn't address Larkin's statement directly.

The GM's latest comments, however, suggest any tension has cooled as the franchise focuses on breaking its playoff drought before it reaches a full decade, something that has never happened in Red Wings history.

So far, things are working for Detroit as they have won three consecutive games after dropping the season opener, carrying a 3-1-0 record into Friday's matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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