Dylan Larkin remains one of the biggest names on the trade market, and somehow he still hasn’t moved.
That has turned into the oddest part of this whole situation. For weeks, there were plenty of teams floated as possible fits for the Detroit Red Wings star, and at one point even the Utah Mammoth were mentioned. Now the noise has faded, and the Larkin situation has settled into something more complicated than a simple yes-or-no trade chase.
The biggest wrinkle is Larkin’s no-trade clause. He is reportedly not eager to widen his list beyond the three teams he originally had in mind: the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild. But Vegas and Florida look like long shots, and Minnesota still hasn’t been able to get a deal across the finish line.
One rumor had Detroit asking for Matt Boldy in return. That would be a massive swing, considering Boldy is 25 and just put up 42 goals and 85 points.
Minnesota would be hard-pressed to part with a player who looks capable of hitting 50 goals down the road. In that sense, both sides appear to be pushing the price into uncomfortable territory.
Utah, meanwhile, is no longer in the mix. The Mammoth were linked to Larkin, but they have already traded for and signed two players who have used up all of their available salary space, which shuts the door on any Larkin pursuit. Even if they were still interested, the reported asking price would make the whole thing a stretch.
So for now, Larkin stays in Detroit, and the trade picture remains murky. If anything, the situation seems to be asking for a little more flexibility from both sides - Larkin with his list, and the Red Wings with their demands.
And while Utah won’t be getting him, the Mammoth can still feel good about the offseason they’ve put together.
In Other News...
Utahs Home Opener Just Got More Intriguing For One Big Reason
The NHL has set Utahs first home opener at the Delta Center for Oct. 1, with the Mammoth welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks in a matchup that already carries a little extra weight. For a new franchise that reached the postseason for the first time last season, opening night is about more than ceremony - it is the first real chance to show how it stacks up in a Central Division that also includes Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Winnipeg, St. Louis and Nashville.
Chicagos trip to Utah has become even more noteworthy because the Blackhawks will be short one of their top players for the opener. That absence changes the look of the matchup before the puck even drops, and it gives the Mammoth an early opportunity to make a statement in front of their home crowd while the rest of the division watches closely. [Read more 🡒]