Why a Dylan Larkin trade is complicated for Red Wings' Steve Yzerman

Yzerman absolutely has to bring back proven NHL talent for Larkin

After refusing to add anything of significance at the trade deadline a couple of years ago, something that led to Larkin voicing his frustration, and then watching Detroit blow a playoff spot that appeared to be locked up — they were tied for first in the Eastern Conference in late January and then finished the season 9-14-4 — Yzerman is on the clock to make the Red Wings great again. 

Most executives without the legendary status Yzerman has due to his playing career would've been fired after failing to make the playoffs seven years in a row - Yzerman took over in 2019, three years into Detroit's initial rebuild. 

Running out of time and facing pressure to end the playoff drought, Yzerman can't let the Larkin trade be only about acquiring prospects and draft picks, no matter how highly regarded. Doing so would extend the long rebuild and lead to other veteran stars, maybe even Moritz Seider, feeling as if they can't win in Detroit.  

Yzerman must replace Larkin's production

Larkin's production has to be replaced. He scored a career-high 34 goals in 2025-26, totaling 67 points for his fifth straight season with 60+ points. 

Detroit, a team already in search of goals, needs more offense, not less, based on the subtraction of its top scorer. Larkin's no-movement clause makes Yzerman's job difficult. He needs to make a "win now" trade, but if that's possible with one of Larkin's preferred destinations remains to be seen.  

Why a Larkin trade is complicated for Yzerman

Some have pinpointed the Dallas Stars as an easy partner because Jason Robertson, who just scored 45 goals, is a restricted free agent. However, the Stars are not on Larkin's list. Helene St. James reported on Monday that Larkin gave the Red Wings three teams: the Minnesota Wild, the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Wild have to focus on locking up Quinn Hughes; the Knights, sitting two wins away from another Stanley Cup, may not want to disrupt their core, and the Panthers may feel they can reboot their dynasty by getting healthy instead of parting with a quality player. 

Trading Larkin and simultaneously improving the Red Wings' positioning may seem like an impossible task. Still, one Yzerman must pull off, or his failures as general manager may forever taint his legacy as a player in the eyes of Detroit fans.