The Detroit Red Wings are still keeping a close eye on the Minnesota Wild, and the reason is obvious: Dylan Larkin keeps coming up in the conversation.
Shawn Horcoff was in Buffalo to scout the Wild against the Sabres, while Kris Draper, Detroit’s new director of professional scouting, was in Tampa to watch Minnesota take on the Lightning. That kind of attention makes it clear the Red Wings are doing their homework.
Elliotte Friedman also weighed in on the connection between the two teams during a Friday appearance on NHL Network with Jamison Coyle, Brian Boyle, and Mike Rupp. Friedman said the interest from Minnesota in Larkin is no secret, and he pointed out that one of the original teams Larkin would agree to be traded to was the Wild.
“Well, first of all, I think that, look, they’ve been linked. This is not a secret, Brian.
As everybody knows, the Wild lust after Dylan Larkin. Everybody knows that one of the original teams that Larkin would agree to be traded to was the Minnesota Wild.
So I think that it’s only normal. And the other thing too, Brian, is look, if Minnesota had 100% of what Detroit wanted, or Minnesota made available 100% of what Detroit wanted, this deal would be done already.
So what you have, Brian, is we believe there’s a couple young players from Minnesota who are central to the deal. One is (Danila) Yurov, one is (Charlie) Stramel.
And I have no doubt that one of the things the Red Wings are doing is watching these players to see, okay, if we’re going to acquire them, how close are they? How much of an impact do we think they can make now?
And if I was working for Detroit, I would make sure that there were important eyes from the Red Wings at every one of their games because if you do make this deal, you have to get it right.”
The broader picture is straightforward: Minnesota has been Larkin’s top destination, and the Red Wings want NHL players back, not futures, if they move him. The Wild are said to be his No. 1 option, with the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, and a few others also on the list.
Friedman added that if the Wild and Red Wings can settle on the price, and Larkin knows Quinn Hughes is staying in Minnesota, the deal could come together quickly.
For now, though, Detroit’s message is clear. Keep scouting.
Keep evaluating. And make sure that if this trade happens, it’s the right one.
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To make room for Guhles return, Montreal recently moved Jayden Struble out of the picture in a trade with Nashville for a 2027 second-round pick. For Detroit, it means the matchup suddenly looks a little stiffer on a night when the Canadiens can roll out a more complete defense and lean on a player theyve been waiting to get back. [Read more 🡒]