The Dylan Larkin situation in Detroit is still murky, but the latest reporting points to a front-office split over what a trade might actually have returned.
Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Steve Yzerman warned Red Wings ownership that moving Larkin probably wouldn’t deliver an immediate boost. The return, according to that report, would have been more about future help than instant impact, and management apparently wasn’t on board with that direction.
Friedman stopped short of saying that disagreement directly led to Yzerman’s departure, but he did note that interim GM Shawn Horcoff now has a chance to make a case for the full-time job.
Larkin himself still isn’t opening up much. After speaking with the media on Thursday, he said he is not ready to “go there yet” when asked about the trade request, and he would not say whether that request has been taken back. For now, his status in Detroit remains unsettled.
In Winnipeg, Kevin Cheveldayoff pushed back hard on reports tying Connor Hellebuyck to a “gentlemen’s agreement.” The idea was that Hellebuyck had been promised a chance to chase a Stanley Cup and that the Jets would help work out a trade if that didn’t happen.
Cheveldayoff shut that down.
“A contract is a contract in the National Hockey League. Period,” he said, making clear there are no side deals and no loopholes. He added that the reports have no merit, though he did acknowledge the Jets have been trying to trade the goalie since Hellebuyck’s request.
The backdrop there isn’t pretty: Winnipeg missed the playoffs last season, and Hellebuyck put up the worst statistical season of his career.
Quinn Hughes, meanwhile, says there’s no drama with the Minnesota Wild as extension talks continue. As training camp opened, Hughes brushed off any suggestion of friction, saying it’s still September and that plenty of stars have signed later in the offseason.
He said he’s happy in Minnesota, loves the team and feels good with his teammates. Hughes also admitted the idea of eventually playing with brothers Jack and Luke Hughes has some appeal, but he made it clear he won’t walk away from a “great spot” in Minnesota just to make that happen.
The contract itself could become the real headline. Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic reported that Minnesota has signaled a willingness to offer Hughes the maximum eight-year term at an annual value above Cale Makar’s NHL-record $20.4 million. If that happens, Hughes would become the highest-paid defenseman in the league.
And in Columbus, there are still some uncomfortable questions looming over the Blue Jackets. Zach Werenski has made it plain that there are no guarantees he’ll sign another extension with the team when his current deal runs out after the 2027-28 season.
Kirill Marchenko may be headed in the same direction. His agent told ESPN and NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes in June that the winger plans to move on when his current contract expires, which would make him a restricted free agent after this season.
In Other News...
Red Wings Camp Could Reshape Detroit Faster Than Fans Expected
The Red Wings have set the stage for a camp that could say plenty about how quickly this roster is changing, with a 49-man group heading into training camp for the 2026-27 season. The mix is exactly what you would expect at this point in the rebuild: established pieces, a few players already on the radar, and a cluster of prospects trying to turn a strong week in camp into a longer stay in Detroit.
Simon Edvinsson is one of the names to watch as extension talks continue, even as he keeps working without a contract in place. And then there is the young talent pushing from below, with Carter Bear, the 2025 first-round pick, joined by Anton Johansson and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard among the prospects who could force their way into the conversation sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Fans Just Got A Bigger Dylan Larkin Trade Concern
The Dylan Larkin conversation around Detroit has taken on a new layer, and it is not just about whether the captain would ever be moved. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported that former Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman once had the opportunity to trade Larkin, but ownership would not approve any return that did not bring immediate help back to the roster. For a franchise still trying to climb back into contender status, that detail matters because it suggests the bar for any major hockey trade has been set far higher than a simple long-term reset.
Chris Ilitch has publicly said he gives his sports leaders autonomy, but previous reports have already pointed in a different direction, including one involving Steven Stamkos earlier this offseason. Now the question is whether interim GM Shawn Horcoff has the freedom to explore anything substantial with Larkin at all, or whether the same ownership guardrails are still in place. For Wings fans, that makes the trade chatter less about rumor and more about who really gets the final say in Detroit. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Need More From Nate Danielson In Key Center Battle
Nate Danielson enters training camp with a cleaner runway than he had a year ago, and the Red Wings are eager to see what that means for his place in the center mix. The young pivot already showed he can handle NHL minutes in a responsible, defense-first role, appearing in 27 games last season, and coaches have liked the maturity in his game. He is healthy now after dealing with injuries that interrupted his development, and Detroit views this camp as an important chance for him to keep pushing toward a regular job.
What makes Danielson such an intriguing part of the roster battle is the same trait that has helped him earn trust from the staff. The Red Wings want more offense from him, especially as they look to upgrade down the middle, but they also value the detail and reliability he brings. There is optimism around his upside, and training camp will offer a first real look at whether he can add more finishing touch without losing the defensive edge that has kept him in the conversation. [Read more 🡒]