Dylan Larkin’s importance to the Detroit Red Wings has been cemented with an extension that secures his services through the 2030-31 season and avoids any talk of unrestricted free agency.
The 26-year-old forward signed an eight-year extension Wednesday, two days before the NHL trade deadline. It's the maximum length possible for a team signing its own player, and carries an average annual value of $8.7 million.
It's the third time over the past month that general manager Steve Yzerman has extended a pending unrestricted free agency, following a three-year, $10.2 million contract for defenseman Jake Walman, and a two-year, $6 million contract for defenseman Olli Määttä.