Dylan Larkin’s trade story in Detroit still isn’t close to resolution, and the latest twist is a bigger list of approved destinations.
According to Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press, the Red Wings center has now widened his list to 10 teams. That gives him even more control over where he could land, thanks to the full no-trade clause in his contract, which carries an AAV of $8.7 million through the 2030-31 campaign.
Larkin’s request to be moved first surfaced in June, when the Washington Township, Mich. native asked to be dealt away from his hometown club. At the time, his preferred landing spots were the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights. When former general manager Steve Yzerman couldn’t get a deal done to Larkin’s liking, the forward tried to improve the odds by adding the Dallas Stars to the list.
That still didn’t get the job done, and the situation has carried over even after Yzerman stepped down as GM. In September, it was reported that Larkin also showed interest in the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals. More recently, there hadn’t been any movement, with Larkin continuing to suit up for the Wings to preserve his trade value.
Now, St. James reports that the list has grown again. Larkin would also accept a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils or the Utah Mammoth.
The saga has even spilled into the atmosphere around him on the road. More than a week ago at the Bell Centre, Montreal Canadiens fans chanted “We want Larkin” when the two Original Six teams met for the first time this season. The 30-year-old said he was surprised by that reaction, though it wasn’t enough to change his mind about joining a Canadian team.
On the ice, Larkin has played in six of Detroit’s first eight games, sitting out the opening two because of an apparent injury. He has one goal and one assist since returning, and he’s managed just one assist over his last five games.
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