The Dylan Larkin situation has entered another awkward stage, and two more teams have now been pulled into the conversation: the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens.
According to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, both clubs have interest in the Detroit Red Wings center even though they are “not currently on his trade list.” That detail matters because Larkin has said he would waive his no-trade clause for just 10 teams so far, which leaves Detroit working with a narrow lane as it tries to find the right return.
“He’s indicated a willingness to waive his no-trade clause for 10 teams and may yet have to expand that list further to facilitate a deal that nets Detroit the right mix of assets in return. The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres are two teams not currently on his trade list that have interest. While everyone is making the best of an imperfect situation, it would be surprising if Larkin weren’t moved at some point this season.”
Johnston’s read is clear: at some point, Larkin may need to broaden the field if a trade is going to happen.
There’s a straightforward hockey case for both Montreal and Buffalo. Larkin has put up 30 goals in five straight seasons, and his skating gives him the kind of center-ice presence that can fit just about anywhere. For teams looking to strengthen the middle of the ice, he checks a lot of boxes.
In Montreal’s case, the fit has been out in the open for a while. GM Kent Hughes has been searching for help down the middle, and reports have linked the Canadiens to Larkin for some time. The idea is that Montreal already has a trade in place, waiting for Larkin to approve the move.
Buffalo is in the mix for a different reason, but a real one: the Sabres have talked with the Red Wings and can assemble a package that would get Detroit’s attention.
The question now is whether Larkin will actually add either of those teams to his list. If he does, Detroit’s leverage improves. If he doesn’t, the process stays stuck in the same uncomfortable place.
And that’s where things stand in Detroit: uncomfortable. Larkin has been taking questions all fall about his unresolved trade request, and fans at Little Caesars Arena have booed him. There’s still a feeling that the sides could repair things, but the longer the request hangs there without being withdrawn, the harder it gets to ignore.
Johnston says Larkin still wants out. That part, at least, hasn’t changed.
In Other News...
Red Wings Have One Contract Standing In The Way Of A Larkin Trade
The Red Wings are staring at two separate but connected business items with very different timelines. Dylan Larkin has already asked for a trade, which naturally has the rumor mill humming, but the bigger immediate issue in Detroit is getting Simon Edvinssons next deal done. The young defenseman is still a restricted free agent, and the organization knows his contract will shape both its cap picture and its roster flexibility as it sorts through the rest of the season.
Edvinssons situation carries the more urgent deadline, which is why it sits ahead of any serious conversation about Larkins future. Detroit can trade Larkin whenever it chooses, but moving a captain-level center is not something the front office will rush into while another core piece remains unresolved. For now, the priority is locking in the young blue-liner and getting that part of the ledger settled before anything else gets seriously revisited. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Fans Just Got More Clarity On That Zach Hyman Injury
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For Detroit fans, the main wrinkle is the sequence that followed the hit along the boards from Andreas Englund and the roster move it triggered. Jason Dickinson is expected to be activated from injured reserve to fill Hymans spot, keeping Edmonton moving while Hyman recovers and leaving the full timeline of his return still a little cloudy. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Larkin Update Just Raised Detroit's Biggest Trade Question
Dylan Larkin was away from Red Wings practice for a maintenance day, which is the kind of update that usually doesn't merit much more than a note in the morning report. In this case, though, it lands in the middle of a larger swirl around Detroit's captain and the possibility that his situation could shape the team's next move more than anything else on the roster.
The timing matters because the trade chatter around Larkin has not gone away, even as the Red Wings try to keep their attention on the season in front of them. Around the league, the Oilers are dealing with Zach Hyman landing on injured reserve after a stiff neck suffered in a game against Detroit, while the Penguins are also looking at veteran trade possibilities as they consider a roster restructuring. For the Red Wings, though, the bigger question remains what Larkin's status means for their long-term direction. [Read more 🡒]