The Washington Capitals have quietly put themselves into the Dylan Larkin conversation, and that alone makes this a trade watch worth following.
Larkin, the Detroit Red Wings center, is reportedly willing to waive his no-trade clause for 10 teams, and Washington is on that list. ESPN reported that he has broadened his preferred destinations, giving Detroit more potential paths if it decides to move its longtime centerpiece.
The full group includes the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Utah Mammoth, Vegas Golden Knights and Capitals.
That doesn’t make Washington the favorite. It does, however, make them interesting.
The Capitals have some assets that could catch Detroit’s eye, especially if the Red Wings are looking for a package that blends upside with players who can help now. Prospects Cole Hutson, Lynden Lakovic and Ilya Protas fit that bill as possible targets in discussions. If Detroit prefers more established pieces, Aliaksei Protas and Pierre-Luc Dubois could also be part of the conversation.
There’s plenty of financial maneuvering to sort through as well. Larkin is in the fourth season of an eight-year, $69.6 million contract, and his cap hit sits at $8.7 million per year. Any team in the mix would have to make the money work, and Washington would need to avoid weakening its roster in the process.
Larkin is 30 and has played his entire NHL career in Detroit. He asked for a trade last June, but he remains with the Red Wings for now. A new opportunity could still be out there, and Washington would be getting a proven forward who could step in right away.
The competition would be fierce. Several of the teams on his list have real championship aspirations, and there’s still a long way to go before any trade becomes real.
The Avalanche, in particular, could be aggressive. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they try to make a desperate move to grab Larkin given the tendency for injuries to creep on them toward the end of the season.
Still, Washington being in the mix matters. The Capitals have the kind of young talent Detroit could want, along with NHL-ready pieces that could help make a deal work. They may not be the obvious pick, but they’re far from a long shot.
In Other News...
Capitals Lineup Watch Just Got More Complicated Before Sabres Game
Three days after the loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Capitals were back on the ice Tuesday with an eye on Buffalo and a lineup that is starting to take shape again. Jonny Brodzinski was loaned to the AHL Hershey Bears, a move that strongly suggests Pierre-Luc Dubois is on track to return after missing five games because of illness, which would give Washington another experienced option as it tries to reset before facing the Sabres.
The bigger concern may be in goal. Logan Thompson did not practice because of a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day, leaving Washington with one more variable to sort out before puck drop. After a stretch that already forced the Capitals to juggle their forward group, the status of their top goalie now adds another layer of uncertainty to a game that was already going to matter for their response effort. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals Forward Depth Suddenly Looks More Important With Sourdif Uncertain
Justin Sourdifs place in the lineup has become a little more important than it looked a week ago, mostly because Washington has had to navigate his absence without much clarity on when hell be back. The forward has missed the Capitals last two games because of illness, but he was back on the ice Wednesday for his first individual skate since getting sick, a small step that at least suggests he is moving in the right direction.
The timing matters because Washington is already keeping an eye on depth up front, and Sourdif had been trying to build on a productive previous season that saw him post 35 points. He has one goal in seven games this year, and with a home game against the Buffalo Sabres approaching, the Capitals are still waiting to see whether hell be available to help replenish the lineup. [Read more 🡒]