The nature of a Dylan Larkin trade for the Detroit Red Wings hinges on the acquiring team’s capabilities.
Some teams can only offer future assets, while others might facilitate a ‘hockey trade’.
The type of return the Detroit Red Wings might receive for Dylan Larkin, and which teams would be interested and what they would need to offer, is a subject of ongoing discussion. The question is whether this would be a deal akin to Matthew Tkachuk’s move involving multiple players and prospects, or more aligned with a Quinn Hughes-style trade focused on future assets and young talent.
If a team like Minnesota were to pursue Larkin, the return would likely lean towards acquiring young players, prospects, and draft picks – a futures-oriented approach. For a team like Vegas, a more direct ‘hockey trade’ might be considered, though finding a suitable pathway for such a deal is proving difficult. Unless a player like Tomas Hertl, who is amenable to a move, is involved, it’s unclear how Vegas could facilitate this. There’s also doubt about Vegas trading players like Pavel Dorofeyev, especially given their cap flexibility with Alex Pietrangelo on LTIR, which essentially covers Dorofeyev’s potential signing cost. Trading a 40-goal scorer for an opportunity with Dorofeyev, while a talented player, is not a guaranteed move.
Florida presents an interesting possibility, as they could combine their ninth overall pick with other assets. San Jose possesses considerable young talent, though it’s highly unlikely they would trade their second overall pick. Dallas would need to resolve internal matters and it’s uncertain where they would find the financial space for such a transaction.
Ultimately, this situation places Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman in a challenging position. It’s possible they may have to settle for a deal focused on future assets, which could prolong the team’s rebuild rather than injecting immediate impact players to push for the playoffs.
