Insider says Red Wings feel lighter without Dylan Larkin

Dylan Larkin's situation is still hanging over the Red Wings, and one columnist says the Detroit locker room feels lighter without him.

The Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 4-1 Thursday night, and Viktor Arvidsson did most of the damage. He finished with three goals and an assist on six shots.

John Gibson was steady behind him, stopping 18 of 19 shots. Lucas Raymond added the game-winner on the power play.

Moritz Seider logged 24:17 and picked up an assist, while Alex DeBrincat had two helpers. Seider also had a message about Larkin's uncertain future tied to this win.

Larkin, meanwhile, is listed as day-to-day for reasons not related to injury, and he's expected to be out until at least Oct. 31, according to the latest injury report.

George Malik, who covers the team, put the mood inside the room in blunt terms after the win.

Malik wrote that he's certain the locker room feels "better and lighter" without Larkin still there.

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He didn't sell it as a hockey upgrade, though. Malik admitted he doesn't know whether Detroit is a better team without Larkin, and he expects some long nights here and there.

Red Wings trade clock keeps ticking on Larkin

Those long nights are a fair worry. Larkin has 6 points in 10 games this season, and Thursday's four-goal output shows the offense can still find another gear.

Over his career, he has 649 points in 818 games. That's a first-line center Detroit drafted 15th overall in 2014, and the Red Wings are carrying that kind of production on the sidelines.

Money is part of the trade puzzle. Larkin's cap hit is $8,700,000 through 2030-31, and his contract runs to UFA status at expiry.

Leaving a 30-year-old center in limbo is a bad idea for everybody involved. Shawn Horcoff's patient stance on a Larkin trade only stretches that out.

Detroit's record sat at 6-4-3 before Thursday's win, with a -1 goal differential. The Red Wings host the Blues on Saturday, and the first real test of the lighter room starts there.

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