The Detroit Red Wings are at a pivotal juncture under General Manager Steve Yzerman. Regardless of fairness, the team was expected to be in the playoffs by now, having missed the postseason since 2016—a full decade. This prolonged drought is a significant factor behind Dylan Larkin’s trade request.
Beyond the obvious playoff drought, Larkin has participated in more Olympic Games than Stanley Cup Playoff games. There is palpable tension between him and the general manager, and Larkin likely recognizes that Detroit is heading towards a situation similar to the Buffalo Sabres’ prolonged rebuilding phase.
The Buffalo Sabres, for context, eventually ended their 14-year playoff drought, but it required multiple rebuilds. Prolonged playoff absences never reflect well on a team. The situation in the Atlantic Division is not improving for Detroit, as the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs are poised for strong bounce-back seasons.
Furthermore, teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabres have seemingly advanced further in their own rebuilds. The departure of Dylan Larkin could have a substantial ripple effect throughout the club, especially considering their aspirations for an active offseason.
As reported by Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio’s Power Play, if Larkin is traded, questions arise about Alex DeBrincat’s future with the team. Would he also seek a departure? And what about Patrick Kane? Would he consider returning? The nature of the return Yzerman secures will significantly shape the Red Wings’ path forward.
If the Detroit Red Wings miss the playoffs again, would they consider trading Alex DeBrincat?
Regarding Dylan Larkin’s situation, the status quo appears to remain for now. While there are three initial teams at the top of his list—Minnesota, Vegas, and Florida—other teams are inquiring about the possibility, assessing if it aligns with their plans and if Yzerman would consider such a move, and subsequently, if Larkin would accept it.
Conversations are ongoing, but Detroit aims to maintain strict confidentiality surrounding the matter. They were reportedly displeased with the information leaking but may not be entirely surprised given the circumstances. The Red Wings are keen on controlling the narrative to maximize their return through trade negotiations.
This situation presents an interesting dynamic. It appears the trade might not be a traditional hockey trade, involving direct player-for-player swaps. Instead, there’s a stronger indication that the return could primarily involve prospects and draft picks, specifically promising young players on the cusp of the NHL, along with draft selections. If this is the case, what are the implications for the rest of the team and the rebuild’s timeline? What about Alex DeBrincat, who is entering the final year of his contract with a 16-team no-trade clause? It’s hard to imagine he would be enthusiastic about enduring another rebuilding phase beyond the one they are currently experiencing.
How bold will the Detroit Red Wings get in the offseason?
DeBrincat’s decision to join Detroit was influenced by the presence of Patrick Kane and Larkin, with assurances that the team would be competitive. However, the Red Wings have consistently fallen short of making the playoffs in recent years. If Larkin is traded, Detroit’s rebuilding efforts would likely center around Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.
Ideally, the Red Wings would acquire assets that can contribute immediately. This scenario suggests the potential involvement of a third team to facilitate the acquisition of the desired assets for Detroit. General Manager Steve Yzerman might adopt a patient approach, similar to Joe Sakic’s strategy when trading Matt Duchene out of Colorado. There are certainly teams capable of providing Detroit with what they need, but Larkin’s willingness to be traded to those destinations is crucial.
All eyes are on Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings. This offseason is critical, as it will profoundly shape the team’s future direction.
English Translation:
The Detroit Red Wings are at a major crossroads under General Manager Steve Yzerman. Fair or not, the Red Wings needed to be in the playoffs by now. They have not made the playoffs since 2016. That is a decade (10 years) of making no playoffs. There is a reason why Dylan Larkin has asked for a trade.
Outside of the obvious, when it comes to the playoffs. Larkin has played more Olympic games than Stanley Cup Playoff games, but there is tension between him and the general manager. But he can see that Detroit is entering Buffalo Sabres territory when it comes to entering a second phase of a rebuild.
Remember, Buffalo ended a 14-year playoff drought. But it took multiple rebuilds to do it. Not to mention, it never looks good when a team misses the playoffs for that long. Things are not getting easier for Detroit in the Atlantic Division, as the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs are poised for bounce-back seasons.
Not to mention, teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabres have passed them by in their rebuilds. But losing Dylan Larkin could have a massive ripple effect on the club, which wanted to have an active offseason.
As Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio Power Play with Steve Kouleas and Jason Strudwick, if Larkin gets traded, what happens to Alex DeBrincat? Does he want to leave? How about Patrick Kane? Does he come back? How Yzerman handles the price will determine a lot for the Red Wings moving forward.
If the Detroit Red Wings Miss the Playoffs Again, Would They Consider Trading Alex DeBrincat?
Steve Kouleas: “Dylan Larkin, what’s the latest”
Dave Pagnotta: “Status quo for the time being? We know about the three initial teams. Those are the top of his list, with Minnesota, Vegas, and Florida, but there are other teams that are poking around to see, hey, is this a possibility for us, and would this be something that a Steve Yzerman would consider, and then be subsequently, would that be something that Dylan Larkin would consider?
But status quo, as far as I know. Their conversations are ongoing. But now that it’s out there, Detroit definitely wants to keep a very tight lid on things. They weren’t exactly thrilled when it got out, but I guess they shouldn’t be shocked at this stage, given how things have unfolded there. They definitely want to keep a lid on things to try to navigate the trade waters and try to maximize the best return for them.
This is another interesting one, guys, because this is now a scenario where at least it sounds like it’s not going to be a hockey trade, maybe that’s what they prefer in terms of talent for talent, but it does sound like there’s more of an opportunity to move in, for prospects and draft picks, and good prospects, certainly, but, but guys on the cusp of being in the NHL, along with picks, and if that’s the case, what happens with the rest of this group?
What happens with the rebuild? Does this get prolonged, and what happens with Alex DeBrincat as well? If Larkin is out, and it is a primarily futures-driven return. What happens with the DeBrincat, who’s entering the final year of his deal? He’s got a 16-team no-trade list. Can’t imagine that he would be too thrilled going through a rebuild, even beyond the one that they’re already going through.”
How Bold Will the Detroit Red Wings Get in the Offseason?
DeBrincat went to Detroit to play with Patrick Kane and Larkin. He was told that this team would be competitive. The Red Wings have come up short in making the playoffs the last several years. So if Larkin gets traded, Detroit will be building around Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.
Ideally, the Red Wings get pieces back to help them now. That is why it feels like there could be a third team involved to get the assets Detroit wants. GM Steve Yzerman will wait like Joe Sakic did when he traded Matt Duchene out of Colorado. There are teams that can give the Red Wings what they want, but Larkin has to be convinced to go there.
All eyes are on Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings. This is a big offseason for them because it will determine what their future looks like.
