.jpg?w=2560 "NHL Trade Ideas for Dylan Larkin")
Trade Ideas for Dylan Larkin and the 10 NHL Teams on His Approved List Amid Rumors
Slowly but surely, and move by move, the NHL's unfinished business from the offseason is starting to get taken care of.
Forward Kirill Marchenko was moved from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Toronto Maple Leafs just before the start of the season, while the Blue Jackets finally ended their tough negotiations with top center Adam Fantilli.
The Anaheim Ducks managed to get all of their restricted free agent signed.
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck has a new home, going from the Winnipeg Jets to the New Jersey Devils this past week.
Restricted free agen defenseman Alexander Nikishin re-signed on a one-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Now we just need the Detroit Red Wings to get all of their business taken care of, ranging from a new full-time general manager, to a contract for restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson, to the trade request that is still lingering out there for center Dylan Larkin.
When it comes to the Larkin situation, he is currently playing for the Red Wings but a trade still seems to be inevitable at some point this season. Maybe it finally happens when they get a full-time general manager. Maybe interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has the freedom to make a trade and pulls something off sooner, rather than later.
Either way, we still do not know when any of that will be, or the exact team it will involve. We might, however, be able to start narrowing it down now that Larkin has reportedly increased his approved trade list to 10 different teams.
So let's take that list and try to come up with a trade idea that might work with each of them.
Or at least the type of offer each of them could make.
Some will be easier than others given the assets each team has (or does not have).
There is also the question of whether or not those teams actually need (or want) Larkin, and if the Red Wings have any interest in what they have to offer. Some of these are just bad matches for both teams. But whether they need him or not, and whether or not Detroit wants what they have, we are still going to come up with some ideas.
We are simply going through the list alphabetically, and not based on who is more likely to get him.
Carolina Hurricanes
1 of 10
It is easy to see why Larkin would want to play in Carolina.
After spending a decade playing on losing hockey teams, Carolina is one of the steadiest contenders in the league and the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Carolina also makes a lot of sense from a practical matter because it is loaded with first-round draft capital, has a really good farm system, and has the salary cap flexibility to take on Larkin's contract.
The problem: There is not really a short-term need for Carolina to be heavily in the market for Larkin.
The Hurricanes already go three-deep at center with Sebastian Aho, Logan Stankoven and Jordan Staal, with all three signed through at least next season. Maybe Staal, who is getting closer to the end of his career, takes on a smaller role down the lineup, but adding Larkin would seem to be more of a luxury for Carolina than a necessity.
But, since they are on the list, let's put together an idea.
The idea: Carolina trades center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, two first-round picks, and forward prospect Bradley Nadeau
Kotkaniemi is more of a salary-dump/throw-in to create a roster spot and clear some additional salary cap space in Carolina. He's still only 25 years old and can at least give them an NHL caliber depth center, and maybe there's a path for him to contribute.
Carolina's farm system isn't overly deep at center when it comes to potential impact players, so maybe Detroit wants to take a talented winger instead. After all, even if the Red Wings are losing a center in the trade, they still need more talented help all over the lineup. The first-round picks would not be early picks (Carolina has all three of its picks over the next three years and a future Dallas pick), but they could at least be potential future trade assets.
It's a good match for Larkin. There are some assets here that could help Detroit long-term. But it's not a perfect fit from a Carolina need perspective.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: Low, but not impossible. Carolina could make it work from a lineup standpoint, and it does have some assets, but it might not be the right assets or the best match for Carolina.
Colorado Avalanche
2 of 10
As long as Colorado plays Nazem Kadri on the wing, there could be a need for another center here behind Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson. Adding a player like Larkin into that mix would be as imposing of a top-three center grouping as there is in the NHL.
But how do the Avalanche make this work?
Their farm system is one of the worst in the NHL.
They have no first-round picks over the next two years.
There are some decent young players on the roster, but nobody that really projects as an impact player.
It's just not a great match for Detroit.
But, because they are on the list, we are going to try and come up with something.
So what could Colorado potentially offer?
There's not much.
The idea: Colorado trades C Gavin Brindley, C Fedov Svechkov, 2029 first-round pick for Dylan Larkin.
This is why Colorado is an unlikely match. Actually, it's why Colorado is a terrible match for Detroit. Brindley and Svechkov are two decent young players, but neither is a prime prospect or somebody that is going to meaningfully move the needle. The next first-round pick Colorado has is in 2029, and it's hard to imagine the Avalanche moving a veteran player, or having one that Detroit is going to have a use for.
Colorado would need to get a third team involved somehow, and even then it just doesn't seem likely.
Larkin might approve a move there, but it seems like a low percentage chance given the assets.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: Almost non-existent. Just not enough trade assets.
Dallas Stars
3 of 10
The Stars are still very much in their Stanley Cup contention window, and Larkin would be a really good piece to have down the middle with Roope Hintz and Wyatt Johnston. There is also probably some added incentive to go all in this season given the long-term uncertainty around winger Jason Robertson and his expiring contract after this season.
But do they have enough to offer for Larkin?
That depends on how bold everybody wants to get.
From a prospect and young center perspective? Probably not.
But how about this idea...
The idea: Dallas trades D Thomas Harley and a 2027 first-round pick to Detroit for Dylan Larkin
We know Dallas is willing to move Harley because they attempted to do so this offseason for Zach Werenski. Granted, that would have brought back another top-tier defenseman, and moving Harley for Larkin would leave a hole at the top of their blue line, but moving out Harley's contract would make the money and salary cap situation work from a Dallas perspective.
Even though Detroit has a bigger need at center, Harley could help give them an outstanding top-four with Moritz Seider and, ideally, Simon Edvinsson if they can get him signed and convince him to stay long-term.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: Slim. Dallas could use him, but it's best trade asset (Harley) would leave a big hole on its defense that it would have to find a way to eventually fill this season.
Florida Panthers
4 of 10
If Aleksander Barkov's injury were of the season-ending variety again, it might have opened the door more for Florida.
But given that he will be back at some point, and after they gutted their long-term trade assets to put together a package for Brady Tkachuk this offseason, it would be really hard to make something work here.
The only offer that makes sense from a Detroit perspective is probably one that Florida would laugh at.
The idea: Florida trades C Anton Lundell and LW Sandis Vilmanis for Dylan Larkin.
Lundell is younger and cheaper than Larkin, and even though his offense has not really taken off, he remains an essential cog in their machine and is an outstanding defensive presence. Detroit would almost certainly have interest in him, but it might not be appetizing for Florida to make that move.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: Very low. Not enough prospect depth or draft pick capital to entice the Red Wings
Minnesota Wild
5 of 10
As far as logical spots go, there is not a better one than this.
The Wild need another impact center to play behind (or in front of) Joel Eriksson Ek.
There are Team USA connections all over the place with Matt Boldy, Brock Faber, and Quinn Hughes on the roster, while Bill Guerin is the general manager.
Minnesota is in a win-now mode and, like Dallas, probably has some added incentive to push all of its chips into the center of the table given the potential departure of Hughes after this season.
The Wild are almost certainly interested, and they absolutely should be.
The idea: Minnesota trades C Danila Yurov, G Filip Gustavsson and first-round pick to Detroit for Dylan Larkin
The Wild gutted a lot of their farm system and young NHL talent a year ago to get Hughes out of Vancouver, but there are still some pieces here to move.
They have all of their future first-round picks, while Yurov is a talented young player that has the ability to play center or wing while possessing a lot of untapped offensive potential.
But what about Gustavsson? Minnesota has Jesper Wallstedt as its long-term starter, and given the contract he is set to get it probably doesn't make a ton of financial sense to have two goalies making more than $6.8 million per year on the roster (and Wallstedt will certainly make more than that). That could (and maybe should) make Gustavsson a potential trade chip either this season or in the offseason.
Detroit has no goalie signed beyond this season, and while it does have some intriguing prospects at the position, goalie prospects might be the most unreliable and unpredictable asset in the league.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: High. It just makes too much sense. They just have to find the right pieces.
New Jersey Devils
6 of 10
Despite a lack of success in recent years, the Devils obviously believe they have a chance to win, and win very soon. If they did not believe that, they would not have traded for starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
The Devils already have one of the league's better 1-2 center duos with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, and adding Larkin into that mix as the No. 3 guy would go a long way toward elevating this team to immediate contender.
If championship teams are built down the middle, there are not many better teams down the middle than Hughes, Hischier, Larkin and Hellebuyck would be.
That lineup only gets more imposing next season if they are able to pull off what everybody expects them to and they land Quinn Hughes to join his brothers (Jack and Luke).
New Jersey has four first-round picks over the next three years, including two in 2027, but is there enough beyond that to get Detroit's attention, especially after trading Dawson Mercer and Alexander Command for Hellebuyck? And can New Jersey make the cap work? They are pretty much capped out this season, and already have over $96 million committed for next season. That could easily go up if they land the third Hughes brother.
The idea: Devils trade F Arseny Gritsyuk, D prospect Anton Silayev, two first-round picks
It's more futures based, but Gritsyuk is a talented player that is off to a really good start, while Silayev is arguably one of the best prospects still remaining in the Devils system. If you're an all-in team, or think you might be, those prospects and picks are more valuable to you as trade chips. Might as well use them.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: Higher than it might have seemed at the start of the season. Definitely a team to watch, but do they have enough left to trade?
Tampa Bay Lightning
7 of 10
Even as their core group of players gets older, and even as the playoff success has dried up in recent years, you always know Tampa Bay is going to be a contender and in the mix for any top player that comes available.
They always find a way, and they are not afraid to deal draft picks.
While the Lightning do have two really good centers in Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, Larkin would be a very strong addition and give the lineup a little bit of a spark that it might need. They also have a couple of young center prospects that could be NHL players, and could get Detroit's attention.
The idea: Tampa Bay trades C Connor Geekie and two first-round picks for Dylan Larkin.
Geekie is still unproven, but he is working his way into the NHL lineup and has great size and talent that could make him a second-line player. While future first-round picks from a contender might not be intriguing, Detroit might want to play the long game here.
The Lightning still have their 2028 and 2029 first-round picks, and a core that is starting to reach its limit for contention.
Nikita Kucherov is 33 and not signed beyond this season.
Jake Guentzel is 32.
Point is 30.
Victor Hedman is 35.
John Carlson is 36.
Ryan McDonagh is 37.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is 32.
How good are these guys still going to be, and how good of a core are they still going to be, two years down the line? Maybe that 2029 first-round pick has some sneaky good value. Maybe Tampa Bay starts to transition to a new chapter at that point. None of these teams have first-round picks that are likely to produce a star-level player, but one of those future Lightning picks might actually be a sneaky good opportunity to get something.
Just a thought.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: Medium, but probably closer to low. Even if it might be a good chance at serious long-term value, the Red Wings might not be interested in waiting that long for a payoff from a Larkin trade.
Utah Mammoth
8 of 10
Of the teams on Larkin's reported list, Minnesota has the biggest need for him.
But Utah might have the best trade assets that should get Detroit's attention.
Two of Utah's best prospects are centers (Tij Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers) that project to be potential top-six players.
They have four first-round picks over the next three years.
And they are a team that is starting to enter a win-now mode where they might be willing to dip into that prospect and draft pick pool to get immediate help.
Utah already made a big trade this offseason for a center, acquiring Vincent Trocheck from the New York Rangers, and they do already have Logan Cooley (who can play center or wing) and Barrett Hayton as options down the middle.
Nick Schmaltz can also move between center and wing.
But Larkin is better than Hayton, and adding him could allow Trocheck to slide into more of a matchup/defensive/penalty killing role and open up the other forwards on the team to focus more on offense.
The idea: Utah trades C prospect Tij Iginla and two first-round picks to Detroit for Larkin
The two teams already have a recent history of making deals after Utah sent a first-round pick to the Red Wings for goalie Sebastian Cossa, and Utah definitely has the type of players Detroit would be looking for in dealing Larkin.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: Reasonably high. It's a good match with what everybody is looking for here. Utah gets a top-six center for a contending team. Detroit can get a high-upside young center. There is something here that could work.
Vegas Golden Knights
9 of 10
Like Tampa Bay, Vegas is one of those teams that, no matter the salary cap outlook and no matter how thin its prospect pool is, it will find a way to get the player it wants.
The Golden Knights have done it repeatedly over the years, so you can never really count them out.
It's also not a surprise that Larkin would have Vegas on his list given how players want to play there for a variety of reasons.
But this might finally be a situation where Vegas has met its match in piecing together an acceptable offer.
The idea: Vegas trades F Braeden Bowman, F prospect Jakob Ihs-Wozniak and two first-round picks.
Maybe you can get Vegas to part with Trevor Connelly, but that might be a big ask given his start to the season. Any offer Vegas puts together is likely to be more of a quantity over quality package, and that's just not going to entice Detroit.
It certainly shouldn't, at least.
Chances of Larkin being traded here: Low. Just a bad match for Detroit.
Washington Capitals
10 of 10
Among the teams that have tried to thread the needle between rebuilding and contending, the Capitals seem to have pulled it off better than most. Even though the early season results are not quite there, this still has all of the makings of a contender.
They also have more trade assets than most of the teams on this list, including some potential NHL options that could help Detroit right now.
The idea: Washington trades C Ilya Protas, F prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko and first-round pick for Dylan Larkin.
Would the Capitals be willing to split up the Protas brothers? Maybe not. Especially when Ilya has a really hight upside. Would Detroit prefer AlBut Larkin would be an immediate upgrade for a team that should have its sights set on contending this season and perhaps beyond. Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois are occupying the top-two center spots right now, but Strome is unsigned beyond this season and Dubois has run into some major injury concerns the past two years.
Miroschnichenko has been outstanding in the AHL, but has not yet stuck in the NHL and has been given permission to seek a trade.
You could swap Aliaksei Protas in for his brother, even though he is a winger, and it would be a very comparable package to what the Capitals sent to the St. Louis Blues this offseason for Jordan Kyrou. While Aliaksei is the more proven and established player, Ilya is a better positional fit for what Detroit might be looking for in a Larkin trade.
Chances Larkin gets traded here: Medium. I could see it. The Capitals are in a weird spot where they should have a chance to win, but they don't really have a lot of truly high-end players. They also have some good trade assets. The biggest problem might be the reality that Washington has a bigger need for defensive help right now and might need to use its trade assets to fix that.
.jpg?w=2560 "Chiefs, Steelers Eye WR Trades")
.jpg?w=2560 "Cowboys Handle Eagles on MNF 🤠")
.jpg?w=2560 "WWE Raw Live Grades 🔠")
.jpg?w=2560 "🚨Jay-Z Headlining Super Bowl")
