During the offseason, it was revealed that Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. Yet, with the 2026-27 season here, Larkin still remains with the team. He was booed by Red Wings fans during his season debut on Oct. 6 against the Ottawa Senators, but responded with a goal and an assist.
Now, as the Larkin drama continues, the Red Wings are being linked to two NHL free agent forwards. In a recent article for The Athletic, Pierre LeBrun reported that the Red Wings have expressed interest in Patrik Laine. "The Detroit Red Wings are another team that has had talks with the Laine camp, but the Red Wings, in case you haven’t heard, have a lot going on these days," LeBrun wrote.
LeBrun also brought up the possibility of the Red Wings reuniting with David Perron, who finished the 2025-26 season with them. "Perron, who is skating back home in Sherbrooke, Quebec, staying in shape, had 13 goals in 65 games split between the Ottawa Senators and the Red Wings last season. I wouldn’t rule out the Red Wings as a potential reunion fit, but again, Detroit has a few things going on right now," LeBrun wrote.
With the Red Wings needing forward help, it makes sense that they are being connected to Laine and Perron. Landing either player would boost the Red Wings' forward depth, which is a real need right now. Laine appeared in just five games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, where he had one assist.
However, he is also a three-time 30-goal scorer, so it would make a lot of sense if the Red Wings took a gamble on him with a one-year, prove-it deal. Perron, on the other hand, is a veteran forward who could still be effective in Detroit's bottom six if brought back. He posted 28 points in 65 games last season, so he could give Detroit a bit more secondary offensive production.
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