A trade involving Dylan Larkin may be edging closer, if NHL insider Michael Russo is reading the situation correctly.
Speaking Tuesday on KFAN, Russo said he had heard from multiple sources that discussions with the Detroit Red Wings had moved forward, and he pointed to a recent conference call as part of the momentum. He also suggested the chatter around the league is not just noise anymore.
“I think it's gonna happen soon. Like, I am under the impression, from multiple sources, that there was a conference call with the Red Wings the other day. I think there's a lot of rumors out there that it's getting close.”
Larkin reportedly asked for a trade in June, and the Minnesota Wild have been one of the teams tied to the Detroit center. The Red Wings, meanwhile, are said to be holding out for a meaningful return, one that includes NHL-ready players rather than a package that falls short of their asking price.
If Minnesota is in the mix, Larkin’s contract gives Detroit plenty to weigh. He has four years left on his eight-year, $69.6 million deal, which carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31. He also has a full no-movement clause, and Minnesota is reportedly on his approved list of destinations.
Still, the trade buzz has come alongside a very different message from inside the organization. Jim Devellano said recently that Larkin and the Red Wings have repaired things after whatever tension existed between them.
Speaking on the Ozzy and Keats podcast, hosted by John Keating and Chris Osgood, Detroit's senior vice president said the sides had “kissed and made up.” The comments came a day after reports surfaced about Larkin's list of 10 preferred trade destinations.
“From our end, so I'm talking about our manager; I'm talking about Todd McLellan, our coach, and me kind of as the old godfather on the side. We kinda kissed and made up, okay; we kissed and made up. As I've said to Dylan personally, let bygones be bygones.”
Devellano was talking about interim general manager Shawn Horcoff, who took over Detroit's front office after Steve Yzerman stepped down on July 15. Todd McLellan is still the head coach.
Horcoff described the situation as “status quo” on Oct. 14, per the Detroit Free Press.
Larkin has returned to action after missing training camp and Detroit's first two games with an upper-body injury. In seven games, he has one goal and four assists.
The Red Wings fell 4-3 to Seattle in a shootout on Tuesday and are set to play at Vancouver on Thursday. Minnesota, which is 6-2-2, heads to Calgary the same night.
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