Seeking their first win of the 2026-27 season, the Detroit Red Wings announced several roster moves ahead of tonight’s contest against the Ottawa Senators. The Red Wings activated forward Dylan Larkin from injured reserve and recalled Sheldon Dries under emergency conditions from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, Detroit has placed Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton on injured reserve.
Larkin, 30, has been nursing an upper-body injury suffered in offseason training. Earlier this morning, Larkin practiced with Detroit’s first line alongside Lucas Raymond and Viktor Arvidsson, indicating that he will be activated ahead of tonight’s contest. After the drama stemming from his trade request this past offseason, Larkin’s 2026-27 debut with Detroit will be one to watch.
Meanwhile, Dries earns the call-up to the Red Wings, albeit under emergency conditions. Although Detroit moved Kasper and Appleton to the injured reserve, the team will also be without J.T. Compher tonight, who is suffering from an undisclosed injury. Without Compher, the Red Wings dropped below having 12 healthy forwards on the roster.
Dries, 32, entered the 2026-27 campaign similarly to last season. He’s been a prominent scorer for AHL Grand Rapids since the 2024-25 campaign when he first joined the organization. He’s gotten off to a strong start this year, scoring three goals and four points in the Griffins’ first two games. Overall, Dries has registered 51 goals and 89 points in 124 games with Grand Rapids.
Kasper is dealing with an upper-body injury after fighting New York Rangers defenseman Sean Durzi in the first game of the season. Detroit has not issued a definitive timeline for Kasper’s return, but this will be his second consecutive missed game. Assuming his injured reserve placement is retroactive to last Friday’s contest, he’ll be eligible to return this Friday against the Seattle Kraken.
Lastly, Appleton’s injury appears far more severe. Head coach Todd McLellan announced this morning that Appleton is considered week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. Unlike Kasper, Appleton has played in both of Detroit’s contests to begin the season, going scoreless while averaging 9:51 of ice time per game.