An injury to Aleksander Barkov could do more than shake up the Florida Panthers’ center depth. It may also reopen a familiar name in the Dylan Larkin conversation.
Barkov missed all of last season after surgery for a torn ACL and MCL, and his awkward fall Thursday immediately set off alarms because of how closely it resembled that previous injury. Panthers coach Paul Maurice said the latest issue is unrelated to Barkov’s old knee problem, but if Florida winds up putting him on LTIR, the ripple effects could be significant.
That would leave the Panthers with a major hole down the middle and, just as importantly, the cap space to chase Larkin. The Detroit captain reportedly has Florida on his list of preferred destinations, though the Panthers have not had a clear reason to swing for a move of that size. A long-term Barkov absence could change that quickly.
Even then, the real question is what Florida would be willing to give up. The Panthers do not appear eager to part with Anton Lundell, while Detroit’s side would be looking for players who can jump right into the lineup.
Elsewhere, Gary Bettman has put no-trade clauses back under the microscope. The NHL commissioner said the protections were meant for players who accepted long-term deals or team-friendly contracts in exchange for stability, not to let them control where a trade goes after asking for one. He suggested that if summers like this past one keep popping up, the league may need to sit down with the NHLPA.
Brad Marchand didn’t let that go unanswered. He called the system “broken” and said the issue cuts both ways, questioning why teams can decide they want to move a player after signing him to a long-term contract, while the player can’t seek a change of his own.
The debate lands right in the middle of several recent trade situations. Larkin reportedly has only a limited list of preferred destinations, Brady Tkachuk wanted Florida, and Connor Hellebuyck has reportedly preferred a U.S. destination.
In Edmonton, the early defensive mess is turning the heat up on Jake Walman. The Oilers’ blue line has been shaky enough that Walman’s place is suddenly under scrutiny after a rough start.
He played just over 13 minutes Thursday, and while Got Yer’ Back’s Ryan Rishaug said he would not healthy-scratch Walman after one bad game, co-host Rob Brown made the case that if there is a time to sit a player projected for the top four, this might be it. Martin Biron added that the problems are not just about goaltending, pointing to the amount of Grade-A chances, breakaways, rebounds, screens, and scrums Edmonton has allowed.
Mark Spector also called out Walman during Edmonton’s 9-7 win over Vancouver, and Dennis King suggested Walman may not get the same patience Darnell Nurse eventually lost in Edmonton. Walman arrived at camp expecting a bigger role. Right now, that opportunity looks a lot less secure.
In Other News...
Tigers May Have Found A Cheaper Matt Vierling Replacement
Scott Harris has made it pretty clear the Tigers are leaning toward a winter built on internal growth rather than splurging on the open market, and that philosophy is already shaping the conversation around the roster. With Gleyber Torres headed out and Matt Vierling potentially on the non-tender bubble, Detroit could be looking for a utility answer who can handle multiple spots without forcing the club into a pricey commitment.
Mauricio Dubn fits that profile as well as just about anyone available. He brings strong defensive value, he just put together a career-best offensive season, and as a free agent he would give the Tigers a cheaper way to keep the roster flexible while they sort out the infield and outfield mix. The appeal is obvious, even if the bigger question is whether Detroit sees him as the kind of stopgap worth prioritizing this winter. [Read more 🡒]
Riley Greene Just Gave Tigers Fans A Reason To Celebrate
Riley Greene has given Tigers fans plenty to feel good about all season, and now the outfielders work at the plate is getting a formal nod. Greene has been nominated for the Hank Aaron Award, which recognizes the best offensive performer in each league, a sign of how much his bat has meant to Detroits lineup during a year when the club has been trying to keep building momentum.
Greenes nomination stands out in a busy stretch around the league, with postseason races, roster moves and injury updates all jockeying for attention. It also adds another notable item to a Tigers conversation that has already included Justin Verlanders recent retirement and shift to MLB Network as an analyst, but for Detroit the bigger takeaway is simpler: one of its core young hitters is drawing national recognition for the kind of production that can shape a teams future. [Read more 🡒]
Tigers May Be Letting One Costly Mistake Shape This Offseason
Detroits offseason messaging has been clear enough: the Tigers want to keep building from within, leaning on player development first and using free agency mainly to fill in around the edges. The clubs baseball operations president said as much, stressing that the organization still plans to dip into the market when it makes sense, but with a priority on growing its own core rather than chasing help at every turn.
Still, theres a reason some around the game think Detroit may be extra careful about spending. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal pointed to the weight of the Javier Baez contract as a possible factor in how aggressively the Tigers move this winter, given the uneven return theyve gotten over five seasons. The same broader conversation includes the clubs major deal for Framber Valdez, which has gotten off to a tough start but is still viewed as the kind of commitment that could age better than the Baez agreement if the Tigers get the payoff they were hoping for. [Read more 🡒]