Former Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was met with a hostile reception from fans at Little Caesars Arena during the pre-game introductions.
The puck has officially been dropped on the 2026-27 NHL campaign for the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
But before the game, the club held its traditional pregame introductions, featuring not only the players in the lineup but also those who were scratched.
Former Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who suffered an upper-body injury before the start of training camp, was the final player introduced among those who would not suit up against the Rangers.
Needless to say, the fans made their feelings clear, greeting Larkin with heavy boos.
Many were upset after the Michigan native, who had been named the 37th captain in franchise history in 2021, requested a trade during the summer.
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Larkin has played for the Red Wings since his rookie campaign of 2015-16, during which came his first and only experience in the Stanley Cup Playoffs; the Red Wings were eliminated in a quick five-game series by the rival Tampa Bay Lightning.
Since then, Larkin has largely borne the brunt of difficult questions from the media following games, especially during the club's lean years.
Detroit was close to reaching the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, only to unravel in March and see what was a comfortable playoff cushion disappear; in two of those three seasons, Larkin missed multiple games with injury.
Late last month, Larkin declined to confirm whether his trade request was still valid.
For now, Larkin, who was stripped of the captaincy, remains with the Red Wings. He was officially ruled out of Friday's opener and Sunday's matinee game against the Winnipeg Jets, but he could potentially return on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators.
But judging by the fan reaction to his introduction before Friday's game, multiple bridges have been burned.
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