Massive NHL Rumours came out on Thursday about the future of Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who has reportedly requested a trade. Let us look at some of the details to unpack here, as this could prove extremely consequential for the future of the Red Wings organization.
NHL Rumours: With Detroit Red Wings Captain Requesting Trade
Credit Image: © Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press via ZUMA Press Wire
Rumour: According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Dylan Larkin has requested a trade from Detroit. Neither of Larkin, agent Pat Brisson, or Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has commented on the matter.
Analysis: The Detroit Red Wings have not made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 10 seasons, that may have made Larkin extremely disappointed, especially given the fact that he has been critical of Yzerman’s trade deadline moves in past seasons. This does not bode well for GM Steve Yzerman and his “Yzerplan“, as it has led to a long playoff drought. Larkin leaving the organization could be the last straw for Yzerman’s tenure in Detroit.
Larkin’s Departure and What It Would Mean For Detroit, Yzerman, and the NHL
Larkin’s asking out does not come as a huge surprise, but what it would mean is that this offseason just got a heck of a lot more interesting. Larkin has an $8.7 million salary cap hit for five more seasons, which is very reasonable for a first-line centre-calibre player. He holds a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons, before it becomes a 10-team no-trade list. That said, the no-trade clause would not be an issue if Larkin is asking out.
Given the environment in recent blockbuster trades, including players like Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes, players are learning that they are allowed to be bold in asking for what they want. More often than not, management will be swayed and pressured to make a move, even if they are not technically obligated to. Detroit by no means has the obligation to trade Larkin right this instant, but at the apprehension of jeopardizing the locker room morale, it would probably be in their best interest to give their captain what he desires in this situation.
Where Does This Leave the Wings?
To put it lightly, the Yzerplan is in great jeopardy. While the rebuild has made Detroit be able to be close to the playoff line, it has not gotten them over the hump just yet. With it being a 10-year playoff drought now, fans and management alike are likely getting antsy. Losing Larkin would mean the loss of their first-line centre and captain. Unless Yzerman is able to pull off a trade that can plug the massive hole Larkin would leave behind, one would think his job would be in definite danger.
For the NHL, this means that the centre market has gotten a lot more intriguing. Centres come at a premium in the NHL, with many teams struggling to obtain a good one. One team to look at would be the Minnesota Wild, who desperately need a top-six centre after they traded Marco Rossi in the Quinn Hughes deal with the Vancouver Canucks. The lack of centre depth was on full display in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season after Joel Eriksson Ek was injured. No doubt, there will be many teams inquiring about Larkin’s services as we approach the NHL Draft in about three weeks.
Yzerman is known as a resolute man. No doubt, he will not be swayed to deal from a position with no leverage. In order to take Larkin away from Motor City, GMs will need to step up to the plate in a big way to negotiate. In any case, this offseason could shape up to be much more exciting than expected.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
