Dylan Larkin’s future has become one of the top storylines heading into the NHL offseason after the longtime Detroit Red Wings captain and Michigan native shockingly requested a trade, according to league sources.
That has led to league-wide speculation about where the 29-year-old center, who has control of his situation with a full no-trade clause, might fit on the market this summer.
How sensible is it for each team to make a trade involving him?
This week, The Athletic asked its NHL staff to put teams into one of four categories: it makes a lot of sense, it makes some sense, it makes a little bit of sense and it makes no sense.
Here’s what they said.
Anaheim Ducks
It makes a lot of sense
One development in the Ducks’ breakthrough season was Mason McTavish’s inability to lock down the No. 2 center spot. Healthy scratches during the regular season and playoffs have put McTavish in the trade rumor mill. Unless they believe top prospect Roger McQueen has the offensive upside to eventually slot in behind Leo Carlsson, it would behoove general manager Pat Verbeek to gauge his former boss Steve Yzerman’s interest in a McTavish-centered trade package. — Eric Stephens
Boston Bruins
It makes some sense
The Bruins do not have a No. 1 center. Larkin would be an excellent linemate for David Pastrnak. But the Bruins also need a high-end right-shot defenseman, and the defenseman is the priority. Do they have enough trade assets to land both? — Fluto Shinzawa
Buffalo Sabres
It makes some sense
I don’t know if the Red Wings are going to be willing to trade Larkin within the division, but the Sabres should inquire. They have a lot to figure out this summer when it comes to the salary cap, but top-six centers don’t become available too often. Depending on the cost, Larkin could be a nice fit on a young center depth chart. — Matthew Fairburn
Calgary Flames
It makes no sense
The Flames are a rebuilding team and there’s no need for them to put together a package for the 29-year-old center. They’re much better off trying to draft or trade for a younger version of him. The Flames are on the right track, but it’ll take them some time before they’re truly ready to be a viable destination for players of Larkin’s caliber. — Julian McKenzie
Carolina Hurricanes
It makes a lot of sense
The Hurricanes seem to have found their second-line center in Logan Stankoven, but you can never be too deep down the middle. Larkin would certainly be of interest to the Hurricanes, who have Jordan Staal — three months shy of his 38th birthday — under contract for one more season. Larkin is also a player whom coach Rod Brind’Amour has long admired, and Carolina has the assets — surplus draft picks and a top prospect in Bradly Nadeau — to make a strong pitch to the Red Wings. — Cory Lavalette
Chicago Blackhawks
It makes some sense
The Blackhawks are open to adding a viable top-six forward. Larkin is probably a little older than what they were hoping to target, but it’s not as if his play is falling off. He’d be a serious upgrade for the Blackhawks. He’s also played for Jeff Blashill before. His contract, including the money and term, would fit Chicago, too. The question is whether the Blackhawks have what the Red Wings would want for him. Detroit is looking to win now and probably wants more than first-round picks. — Scott Powers
Colorado Avalanche
It makes no sense
The Avalanche seem pretty set at center for the foreseeable future, with Nathan MacKinnon signed through 2031, Brock Nelson signed through 2028 and Nazem Kadri signed through 2029. Those three centermen account for a combined $25.7 million, and recently acquired Nicolas Roy is also still under contract for next season. Colorado could probably make better use of its available cap space by extending Brett Kulak and/or adding another blueliner. — Jesse Granger
Gold medal-winning USA teammates Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin are both from Michigan. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
Columbus Blue Jackets
It makes some sense
Oh, the irony if Dylan Larkin should end up in Columbus. For years, Blue Jackets fans have listened to Red Wings fans plot and organize for Michigan native Zach Werenski to leave the Blue Jackets for his hometown team. Now, Larkin, in this imagined scenario, would leave Detroit for Ohio. The Jackets would be formidable with Adam Fantilli, Charlie Coyle and Larkin (in some order) centering their top three lines. Plus, it would help assure Werenski’s continued happiness after six non-playoff seasons. — Aaron Portzline
Dallas Stars
It makes no sense
While it’s fun to dream about a lineup that has Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Matt Duchene and Dylan Larkin down the middle, and while Jim Nill is never shy about making a big move, Dallas’ focus this offseason is getting Jason Robertson under contract. There simply won’t be money to make Larkin fit (unless Nill were willing to move out someone such as, say, the extremely talented but injury-prone Hintz). — Mark Lazerus
Detroit Red Wings
It makes a lot of sense
It would be hard to pick any other category with Larkin requesting a trade. The harder question is which direction they take in a trade: try to replace Larkin to continue chasing the playoffs, or look to go younger and retool? It could be a robust trade market this summer, and Larkin is now squarely at the center of it. — Max Bultman
Edmonton Oilers
It makes a little bit of sense
The Oilers are strong up the middle with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, so Larkin would be a luxury. However, if (as was implied by management in exit interviews after the season) the team wants to run McDavid and Draisaitl together on the same line, Larkin would be an option for second-line center. Darnell Nurse would need to be part of the return for the Red Wings. Otherwise, the Oilers’ roster is too cap-heavy to bring in Larkin’s contract. Detroit may find more attractive offers. — Allan Mitchell
Florida Panthers
It makes a little bit of sense
You can never count the Panthers out when it comes to making a big deal. And Florida certainly has the cap space to accommodate Larkin, especially if Sergei Bobrovsky leaves as a UFA. But this is a team well set down the middle, and the Panthers aren’t exactly loaded with picks and prospects to send the other way. Plus: Would Detroit really want to move him to a division rival? — James Mirtle
Los Angeles Kings
It makes a lot of sense
They’ve got a serious need for a proven center to pair with Quinton Byfield, and while Larkin would not turn the Kings into a Stanley Cup contender, he’d fill a gaping hole in the middle as they head into the post-Anze Kopitar era. But even if Larkin was open to a reunion with Kings general manager Ken Holland, do they have enough quality assets to facilitate a deal? Look, they’re not rebuilding — even if many Kings fans say they should — so you would imagine that Holland is interested. — Eric Stephens
If Dylan Larkin wants to come to Minnesota, he would have plenty of friends, such as Team USA teammate Quinn Hughes. (Nick Wosika / Imagn Images)
Minnesota Wild
It makes a lot of sense
The Wild will pursue Larkin, plain and simple. After giving up a haul for Quinn Hughes, it’s uncertain if they have enough to get it done. But Larkin controls the process because of his no-trade clause, so if he wants to come to Minnesota, the Wild may not need a package that beats out teams he has no interest in. The Wild need a No. 1 center, love Larkin, have connections to him throughout the organization because of USA Hockey, and he’s got plenty of friends in Minnesota. But he has friends in many places and will generate a lot of interest. — Michael Russo
Montreal Canadiens
It makes a lot of sense
It sure makes a lot of sense for the Canadiens to make a pitch for Larkin because he would be the ideal candidate to fill their gaping hole in the middle of their second line. But it would make absolutely zero sense for Steve Yzerman to trade Larkin to a direct competitor in his division, and if he did, the price would surely be significantly higher because of that. — Arpon Basu
Nashville Predators
It makes some sense
A 29-year-old center who has been roughly a point-per-game player for the past five seasons? Yes, this should interest the Preds. If all goes well under new personnel chief Chris MacFarland, they could be competitive with plenty of good hockey left in his career. Do they have anything to offer while protecting the top prospects? That’s a more difficult question. Ryan O’Reilly and some picks? That seems like a stretch. — Joseph Rexrode
New Jersey Devils
It makes some sense
It would be a big move to kick off the Sunny Mehta era, and it would likely come at a high cost. Would moving the necessary pieces to get the Red Wings to make a deal deplete the roster too much? Would it require Nico Hischier going the other way? It makes some sense, but it’d also require balancing the potential risk with the reward. — Peter Baugh
New York Islanders
It makes a little bit of sense
The Islanders unquestionably need more top-six talent, and Larkin is exactly that. He’s a two-way center who can be leaned on in all situations and would give the team a boost opposite Bo Horvat in the top six. The problem is, the Islanders would be paying top dollar for a center when that isn’t technically their No. 1 area of need. Sure, Mathew Barzal and Brayden Schenn could both shift to wing to open up a spot for Larkin, but it’s a pricier path than necessary. — Shayna Goldman
New York Rangers
It makes a little bit of sense
Larkin makes sense if the Rangers want to put themselves in playoff contention, and all indications are that Chris Drury wants to do just that. But New York would have to pay a heavy price that would presumably include win-now pieces going back to Detroit. It might not be the time to make a move like that, given where New York is in its contention window. Plus, Larkin might nix a trade to a non-playoff team. — Peter Baugh
Ottawa Senators
It makes a little bit of sense
As unlikely as it might be, there’s no harm for the Senators to at least see what the asking price is on Larkin. After all, the Sens are trying to solidify their playoff status in hopes of being a veritable contender. Their biggest holdup is having the necessary assets to acquire him. And that’s before knowing whether Detroit would deal in-division, or whether Larkin, who has a no-trade clause, would come to Canada. But we’re always open to surprises in the nation’s capital. — Julian McKenzie
Philadelphia Flyers
It makes a lot of sense
The Flyers have a solid group of still-improving young players in place, as evidenced by their surprising run to the second round of the playoffs. What they don’t have is a potential top-line center on the roster or in the system. That’s most likely going to have to be acquired via trade, so if Larkin is available, I would expect the Flyers to be very interested. — Kevin Kurz
Could Dylan Larkin join Sidney Crosby and the Penguins this offseason? (Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)
Pittsburgh Penguins
It makes a lot of sense
The Penguins are looking for an impactful forward, preferably a young one. They have an enormous amount of cap space. They have Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, veteran forwards who might well be appealing to the Red Wings. They have draft picks and prospects to offer, too. Larkin isn’t a youngster, but I still think he makes a lot of sense for the Penguins. I’d be surprised if Kyle Dubas doesn’t inquire. — Josh Yohe
San Jose Sharks
It makes no sense
With Michael Misa progressing nicely as a rookie with a big future ahead for the 19-year-old, the Sharks could already have their second-line center for many years and don’t need Larkin as much as other teams. Especially if it will cost several assets to get him … including Misa, who is 10 years younger and could have at least a Larkin-like ceiling. — Eric Stephens
Seattle Kraken
It makes a lot of sense
We know the Kraken pushed hard for Artemi Panarin and are eager to make a splash in a crowded Seattle sports market in which they’ve struggled to resonate. It follows that a star first-line center — and a member of the USA Olympic gold medal team — would fit the bill as a headliner for the Kraken. Seattle would also have the assets, including potentially Shane Wright, to dangle credibly in return. The question is whether Larkin would accept a trade to a non-contender in the Pacific Northwest. — Thomas Drance
St. Louis Blues
It makes a little bit of sense
Many Blues fans are wondering if anything could make sense here. I even saw a straight-up one-for-one trade proposal for Robert Thomas. Would Larkin be great to have? For sure. But if the Blues were wondering whether Thomas, 26, was young enough to fit their time frame to contend again, how would Larkin, who’ll be 30 in July, fit? If the Blues were interested in Larkin, it would be veering off the path they’ve set, and if they’d give up Thomas to make a deal, then we know the motive for moving him is not his age. — Jeremy Rutherford
Tampa Bay Lightning
It makes no sense
Between Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, the Lightning have strength down the middle of the top six. Would Larkin punch that up? Sure, likely shifting Cirelli to more of a shutdown 3C role to deepen the lineup. But that just shouldn’t be a priority right now. The Lightning have bigger questions to answer and limited assets to figure it all out, so this would be too out of budget. — Shayna Goldman
Trading for Dylan Larkin makes sense in many ways for Toronto. (Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs
It makes a lot of sense
Larkin is just what the Leafs need right now, a No. 2 center who can provide two-way support behind Auston Matthews. Add Larkin, mind you, and the Leafs can finally lessen John Tavares’ responsibilities by moving him down the lineup or over to the wing as he heads into his 18th NHL season. The timing couldn’t be better either, with Matthews wavering on his future in Toronto. Do the Leafs have the goods to pull it off? Does Larkin want to be a Leaf? If so, yes, this makes a lot of sense. — Jonas Siegel
Utah Mammoth
It makes some sense
Larkin and Logan Cooley would be a strong one-two punch down the middle, plus it would allow Nick Schmaltz to return to the wing, where he’s arguably more effective. The debate will come down to whether now is the right time for this up-and-coming Mammoth team to spend premium prospects and draft picks on a soon-to-be-30-year-old, especially when Caleb Desnoyers might plug the team’s top-six center hole at some point down the road anyway. — Harman Dayal
Vancouver Canucks
It makes no sense
The Canucks are rebuilding. Larkin absolutely rocks, but he’ll turn 30 this summer and, in any event, surely wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause to join a rebuilding team in western Canada. If there’s a Canucks angle to this, it’s whether or not Detroit might consider rolling the dice on Elias Pettersson as a first-line center replacement after first making a Larkin deal. — Thomas Drance
Vegas Golden Knights
It makes no sense
From a roster-building and needs perspective, Larkin to the Golden Knights doesn’t make much sense. Vegas has its four centers (Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, William Karlsson and Nic Dowd) under contract for multiple years, and they account for a combined cap hit of $29.15 million. It doesn’t seem like there’s room for another expensive center. But it’s the Golden Knights, so never count them out. — Jesse Granger
Washington Capitals
It makes some sense
The Capitals, as ever, are looking to add a high-end piece. Larkin would qualify, and a center depth chart including him, Dylan Strome and Pierre Luc-Dubois would be intriguing, but adding him wouldn’t fix their primary issue. They’d still be a well-built team without a true franchise-caliber player, and while they’d be closer to true-contender status, they’d still have some work to do. — Sean Gentille
Winnipeg Jets
It makes some sense
Winnipeg is trying to re-establish a competitive window despite missing the playoffs in 2026, and its biggest hole by far is a center of Larkin’s caliber to take some of the offensive workload off Mark Scheifele. The Jets would get more out of their top players, offensively and defensively, if they had a second scoring line they could count on. The one concern? Larkin’s trade protection. — Murat Ates
