Dylan Larkin's Possible Departure Is Turning Moritz Seider Into The Red Wings' Next Captain

For years, Dylan Larkin has been the voice of the Detroit Red Wings.

He has worn the "C" since 2021, carried the expectations that comes with being Detroit's hometown captain and, at times, been asked to shoulder far more than any one player reasonably should.

But with Larkin's future in Detroit hanging in the balance after his reported trade request, the Red Wings are being forced to look toward the next era of leadership. And increasingly, that leadership is starting to look like Moritz Seider.

Larkin has not actually left Detroit yet. That distinction matters. The Red Wings still have to determine whether they can repair the relationship or ultimately find a trade that makes sense. But regardless of what happens, Seider is already showing signs that he is ready to take on a much larger role.

Seider Isn't Running From the Pressure

The easiest thing for Seider to do right now would be to stay quiet.

Detroit is dealing with a massive amount of uncertainty. Steve Yzerman is no longer running the hockey department, the organization is searching for its next hockey operations leader and Larkin's future remains unsolved.

Seider has made it clear that those decisions aren't his to make. But he also hasn't shied away from acknowledging what the situation means. When asked about Larkin's trade request, Seider gave an answer that was remarkably measured.

"That wasn't exactly something you saw coming. Everyone certainly has their reasons for making certain decisions. Whether I or we approve of it is not for us to answer. But it's clear that we're a better team when Dylan Larkin is on the roster and playing, than when he isn't."

That is an important response.

Seider didn't take a shot at Larkin. He didn't speculate about the front office. He didn't try to speak for the organization. He simply acknowledged reality and kept the focus on the team.

That is leadership

Larkin's Departure Would Leave More Than a Hole at Center

If Larkin is eventually traded, Detroit isn't simply losing its No. 1 center, it is potentially losing the player who has been the emotional center of the franchise for more than half a decade.

That creates a leadership vacuum. And there is already a pretty clear candidate to fill it.

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press recently described Seider as someone who has "emerged as a leader in every respect, on the ice and off the ice."

She added six words that may say more about Seider's leadership than any statistic:

"He shows up all the time."

That's Seider.

He has played every game of his NHL career, including all 82 games in 2025-26. Last season, he also produced a career-high 60 points and finished fifth in Norris Trophy voting. But his importance to Detroit isn't simply about production. It is about presence.

Seider is becoming one of the players the Red Wings can build their identity around.

He's Already Wearing The Letter

The transition isn't happening out of nowhere.

Seider and Lucas Raymond were named Detroit's alternate captains for the 2025-26 season, giving both of the organization's young cornerstone players a more prominent leadership role.

That was the first real indication that the Red Wings were preparing their next generation to take ownership of the team.

Now, with Larkin's future uncertain, Seider's "A" suddenly feels like something more. It feels like a test drive for the "C". And Seider appears ready for it.

Seider Is Talking Like Someone Who Wants to Carry Detroit

Perhaps the most telling of Seider's recent comments wasn't actually about Larkin. It was about Detroit.

The Red Wings have now gone 10 consecutive seasons without making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Little Caesars Arena has never hosted a playoff game.

Seider understands what that means.

"It's time to pay back for not only the city, but also the fans, because they've been behind us for the good times and now for numerous years of not-so-good times."

That doesn't sound like a player interested in simply putting up good numbers and collecting a paycheck. It sounds like someone who understands what wearing the Winged Wheel means.

Seider also said he feels there is "more in the tank" after his best NHL season and that he wants to get closer to being consistently considered among the league's best defensemen.

That combination matters.

The Red Wings don't just need someone to wear the letter. They need someone willing to demand more from himself and, eventually, from everyone around him.

Larkin Helped Build the Foundation. Seider Could Lead the Next Chapter

There is no reason to diminish what Larkin has meant to Detroit.

In fact, Seider himself has made it clear that the Red Wings are better with Larkin in the lineup. If Larkin returns, Seider will still be an important part of the leadership group. But if Larkin ultimately leaves, the Red Wings won't have the luxury of waiting around for someone to become the next leader.

They will need one immediately. And Seider may already be there.

He's entering his prime. He's established himself as one of Detroit's most important players. His teammates respect him. He's comfortable handling difficult questions without creating unnecessary drama. Most importantly, he appears genuinely invested in bringing meaningful hockey back to Detroit.

That's the kind of foundation a captain needs.

The "C" doesn't have to be handed to Seider tomorrow. But if Larkin's time in Detroit is coming to an end, the Red Wings' next captain may already be standing in the locker room.

And judging by the way Seider is carrying himself this offseason, he isn't waiting for permission to become a leader.

The Bottom Line

Dylan Larkin's potential departure would undoubtedly hurt the Detroit Red Wings. But every franchise eventually reaches a point where one era gives way to another.

Larkin was the captain Detroit needed during one of the darkest stretches in franchise history. If he leaves, Moritz Seider has an opportunity to become the captain Detroit needs for whatever comes next.

And for the first time in a long time, that next chapter might have a leader capable of carrying it.