Dylan Larkin’s saga with the Detroit Red Wings might finally be heading for a resolution, with the star center now having a list of ten teams he’d actually accept a trade to. This whole thing started this summer with just four teams on his radar, so you can call it progress, or maybe just resignation from Larkin’s side that his time in Detroit is wrapping up. Dude’s been a scoring machine, hitting 30 or more goals for five straight seasons, and now everyone in the league is figuring out if they can actually land him. Oh, and speaking of the Red Wings, our Seattle Kraken just gave them a taste of the Emerald City special, winning 4-3 last night. You love to see it!
The Skinny on Larkin’s Escape Route
So, what’s on this coveted list? We know a few things for sure. None of the ten teams are in Canada, which is a bummer for our friends up north, and at least two of them have Hughes brothers tearing it up. The scouting report on who could land Larkin comes down to what players they can send back, their prospect pools, draft picks, and, of course, cap space. It is a full-blown trade analysis for a guy who has been consistently lighting the lamp.
Vegas and Florida Are Already Sweating
You know Vegas. They always jump into the mix when a star player becomes available. But when it comes to Dylan Larkin, they’re looking at a mountain of problems. Their roster is absolutely loaded with guys who have no-trade or no-move clauses, and let’s be real, who’s saying yes to swapping Las Vegas for Detroit? That’s a massive roadblock for freeing up cap space too, especially when they’re sitting with less than $500,000 in cap freedom. They also don’t have a ton of elite prospects. A young gun like Trevor Connelly is showing promise, but he alone ain’t bringing Larkin to Sin City. Their only shot might be a wild three-team deal, but the hoops there look almost impossible to jump through.
The Florida Panthers are in a similar boat. They love a big trade, but snagging Larkin would be highly difficult for them. Right now, they have some salary cap breathing room thanks to Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand being on long-term injured reserve. Barkov gives them $10 million in relief, and Marchand could add another $5.25 million if he goes on LTIR. Plus, Jonah Gadjovich’s $905,000 salary helps a little, according to PuckPedia.com. But here’s the kicker: Barkov and Marchand are expected back pretty soon, so that cap window isn’t staying open for long. And forget about Anton Lundell. The Panthers have been super clear they aren’t trading him, and he would instantly become Detroit’s top center in a swap. Even though division trades happen, like Brady Tkachuk or Sam Reinhart, seeing Lundell dominate for Detroit for years would be a tough pill to swallow. Just like Vegas, the Panthers are also light on high-end prospects, and trying to move money around later could create even more headaches. It’s not impossible, but man, it’s going to be tough.
What’s Next For Larkin and The Chase
The Dallas Stars were also on the list, and the idea of Larkin joining them “sounds great on paper” and apparently “fits GM J.” We didn’t get to see more on that, but it seems like a lot of teams are going to be crunching numbers and making calls to see if they can navigate these complicated waters. For Larkin, this is his chance to find a new home, and for the teams involved, it’s a huge opportunity to grab a proven scorer. The hockey world is definitely watching to see where this all lands.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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