Dylan Larkin’s trade request is undoubtedly one of the largest pasting the Detroit Red Wings have heard in the offseason, yet it’s proving to be problematic as Detroit looks to make an acceptable trade.
Now, with a full no-trade clause on his team, Larkin originally saw the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights as options he would trade for. The 30-year-old center later would join the Dallas Stars, giving Detroit another option, but the market isn’t so simple. The Red Wings reportedly are interested in signing an “NHL-ready player” to fill in the holes they have in their roster this season, and help their squad maintain a competitive level of play right out of the gate.
It’s a natural demand. Detroit has not made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 10 years, the NHL’s longest playoff drought. Larkin’s role has been vital all throughout the period, with him taking on the captaincy in 2021. He also accrued a career-high 34 points in one season (2025-26), and is still considered one of Detroit’s most valuable players.
It’s all about the fact that Larkin’s not trade means there aren’t a lot of teams that can really come through with a bid. Meanwhile, there are also reportedly clubs that have a connection with him with their own salary cap and roster issues. Dallas was a part of the conversation with young center Wyatt Johnston, for instance, but Dallas wasn’t ready to give up the shooter.
As camp nears, Detroit’s difficulties may only be exacerbated. Larkin will be under contract next season through 2030-31 and have an $8.7 million annual salary cap hit, putting the Red Wings in a position to leverage in any blockbuster trade, but also making one difficult to structure due to the amount of money needed.
The path to glory for Detroit is obvious – add a legitimate “top-line pick-up” without compromising the team’s quality. For now, though, Larkin’s list won’t get any bigger and a team willing to pay Detroit either, so the seeming standstill won’t break any time soon.
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