Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin believes the front office's inaction at the 2025 NHL trade deadline had a negative effect within the team's dressing room.
"It was hard that we didn't do anything. ... We didn't gain any momentum from the trade deadline, and guys were kind of down about it," Larkin told reporters Monday, according to Woodward Sports. "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."
The Red Wings were just a point out of a playoff spot on deadline day but made only one move: They acquired goaltender Petr Mrazek and winger Craig Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for center Joe Veleno.
Mrazek made five starts for Detroit down the stretch, going 2-2-0 with a .902 save percentage. Smith appeared in 19 games, notching zero goals and two assists.
The Red Wings ended up missing the playoffs by five points. Their postseason drought now stands at nine seasons - the second-longest active skid in the league.
Larkin, who's spent his entire 10-year career in the Motor City, has appeared in only five playoff games - all of which came during his rookie season in 2015-16 when he was 19.
Larkin, 28, recorded 30 goals and 40 assists in 82 games this season. It was his fourth consecutive campaign of at least 30 goals.
Steve Yzerman has been Detroit's executive vice president of hockey operations and general manager since 2019.
