Potential Dylan Larkin Trade Destinations 

On Thursday, a report broke that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin had asked for a trade. This comes after the Red Wings missed the playoffs for the tenth straight season, and he’s currently at home seeing Team USA teammate Jack Eichel compete for a Stanley Cup. Now, did the request come a few days ago or a while ago, and the report just surfaced? That remains to be seen, but seeing someone you won a gold medal with compete for a Cup, and you sitting at home can’t feel good. The Red Wings seemed destined to be a playoff team this season, but a collapse and losing skid derailed that possibility, extending the longest active playoff drought in hockey. Now that the report is out there, it’s time for us all to start the speculation of where Larkin could be playing next season.

You have to imagine the Red Wings as a team with Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and Alex DeBrincat in their primes don’t wanna go for a full rebuild with this move so there’s something coming back that will help them compete. The one issue is that Larkin does have a no-movement clause, so he’d have to waive that, but also, when asking for a trade, you’d have to expect he knows where he wants to go or has a short list, maybe one of these teams is on it. Let’s start the conversation.

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Boston Bruins 

This doesn’t seem likely, as Detroit trading within the division isn’t something that happens. To start, a lot of the deals online have indicated James Hagens, Mason Lohrei, and a draft pick. That would put Larkin perfectly in line with his contract with David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman. That deal is enough to love the needle, but do you want to trade your captain and help a division, and almost set yourself back a little for this coming season? I’d say no. 

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens, like the Bruins, are a division rival and just made the Eastern Conference Final, so you’d elevate them with Larkin. Michael Hage, a Michigan Wolverine, is a nice prospect piece, and Brendan Gallagher has already stated he wants out, but he’s linked to staying in Canada, so that doesn’t fit. Not sure what else Montreal can include after Hage, but a divisional team is unlikely. 

Toronto Maple Leafs 

The Maple Leafs don’t make sense. The only way it could be is maybe Auston Matthews, who may or may not seem to want out of Toronto. But then Detroit is adding more pieces with Larkin to get that trade done. I have better ideas for more pieces to get a bigger piece, but we’ll address that later. 

Carolina Hurricanes

Having covered the Hurricanes for a bit, the last five seasons, I’ve seen a lot of Carolina and Larkin being linked after the report broke. They’re currently in the Stanley Cup and have been to the Eastern Conference Finals quite a bit lately. They were already talked about earlier this season as wanting to move Jesperi Kotaniemi, so you’d expect he’s going to be in their package, but what else can they offer that keeps Detroit afloat to snap their playoff drought? Not sure there is any that wouldn’t set them back. So they’re out. 

Utah Mammoth

Utah is an intriguing one. They have prospects and pieces, but that would also set Detroit back. We’re starting to get to the fascinating possibilities, but for now, I’d say Utah is a no unless it’s for Clayton Keller, but if Larkin is going to the Mammoth, it’s to play with Keller. 

Minnesota Wild

This is the one everyone seems to be pointing to. Wild General Manager Bill Guerin was the General Manager of Team USA so Larkin is familiar. Oh and Quinn Hughes is there, and their goal is to lock him up Larkin is familiar with Quinn Hughes, as apparently, Detroit not getting a deal done for Hughes has kinda signaled the start of the conversation. Minnesota could have some nice pieces, so now they’ll start the list of the fun teams to keep an eye on. 

New York Rangers 

This is an interesting one, as Mike Sullivan was the head coach of Team USA at the Olympics, so Larkin has already played under him. The conversation, however, for Detroit has to start and end with Vincent Trocheck being in the deal. Trocheck won’t be the only piece going to Detroit, but it’s a start. The Red Wings were linked to Trocheck at the deadline, but now they have a piece with control to include, and that could play into the Red Wings’ hands. 

New Jersey Devils 

The Devils become intriguing because of Nico Hischier. Larkin wants a change. Hischier needs a change and is younger. He also carries less AAV. It’s two players with leadership roles that could benefit from a deal. This could be an interesting team to watch. 

Dallas Stars

Now let’s get to the real fun. Dallas will start it off. Jason Robertson is where the conversation starts. The Red Wings have the cap space to give him the money he wants. The Stars could use a center like Dylan Larkin. This may be a trade that works for both sides. The one downside is he’s a winger. The Red Wings needed a second center at the deadline; they’d be moving their number one center for another winger, meaning there’s a glaring hole down the middle. That may not work, but it could be addressed in free agency. Sebastian Cossa is also a trade name to watch. Maybe he could fetch a center for the top six. This could be the start of something. 

St. Louis Blues 

The Blues now bring us to my favorite idea. Two teams with a history of trading with each other. Most recently, Detroit got Justin Faulk from St. Louis, handing over their first-round draft pick. The fancy name at the trade deadline was Robert Thomas. Does a Larkin for Thomas deal and maybe some other pieces for both sides really get it going? Is it something that helps Detroit and gets the Blues back to being competitive in that loaded Central Division? The Blues are really intriguing; however, the downside is the no movement clause. Would Larkin take a trade to St. Louis, wanting a playoff chance, and the Blues missing it this season? There are so many hurdles to navigate. 

Edmonton Oilers 

This is the one I keep playing in my head. This would have to be a big one, but bear with me. Connor McDavid seems unhappy in Edmonton, and although he hasn’t requested a trade, he almost signaled one would be coming after taking a short-term deal, and his frustration with losing early in the playoffs after going to the Stanley Cup Finals back-to-back seasons before this year. Reports are that he may want to go to Montreal, which could be possible, but Edmonton and Detroit could also be great fits. McDavid is the lone piece back to Detroit, but that’s a superstar, and is there really gonna be much issue amongst Red Wings fans if that’s the case? Absolutely not.

The Red Wings would have to give up a lot for McDavid, but what about Larkin and Cossa start the conversation? Larkin would give them depth at center, not a superstar to replace McDavid, but Draisaitl as the top line center, and Larkin on the second line. Cossa would give them the goalie they’ve been searching for. Young and a guy they’ve wanted since he was drafted. Now, there would need to be more involved in the deal. While I hate trading Axel Sandin-Pellikka, he’s likely a piece you’d have to include among more, most likely a high-draft pick as well. I’d almost be okay with any deal if it meant McDavid was coming to Detroit, wouldn’t you? 

Wrap Up

No matter what, the next few weeks until a trade is done, you, me, and everyone will be looking at moves for Dylan Larkin. It’ll be one of the most talked-about names until the next trade request comes, but nevertheless, the Michigan native appears to be on the move. Where do you see him going, and what do you want coming back that spares us from another rebuild for our beloved Red Wings?

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