Dylan Larkin's Injury is the Last Thing the GM-less Red Wings Needed

The Detroit Red Wings are currently operating without a permanent general manager, and now their captain is broken before the ice is even frozen.

According to Elliotte Friedman, interim GM Shawn Horcoff announced today that Dylan Larkin suffered an upper-body injury during training this week. As a result, the franchise center will not be on the ice for the start of training camp.

"Elliotte Friedman reported the news directly from interim GM Shawn Horcoff's announcement."

An upper-body injury in September is the NHL equivalent of your check engine light coming on while you are still in the driveway. It might just be a loose gas cap, or your transmission might be about to fall out on the highway. Either way, it is a terrible way to start a road trip.

The fact that an interim GM is the one delivering this news tells you everything you need to know about the current state of the Red Wings. They are a franchise in limbo, and losing their best player before the preseason even kicks off is a brutal blow to a fanbase desperate for a turnaround.

If you need context on just how vital Larkin is to this roster, look at the math. Since he entered the league in the 2015-16 season, Detroit is a miserable 19-31-7 when he is out of the lineup. He is the entire engine of this team.

Detroit went 41-31-10 last year, finishing sixth in the Atlantic Division and missing the postseason again. If you were looking at their early-season win totals or playoff odds, this is the exact kind of red flag that makes you close the sportsbook app and go for a walk.

For now, Larkin is sidelined while the rest of the roster reports to camp. Detroit desperately needs him back on the ice before opening night, or this season is going to feel over before the Halloween candy hits the shelves.