Dylan Larkin’s trade request from the Detroit Red Wings has been on the table for more than a month, but a deal has not materialized yet.
The Red Wings captain asked to be moved earlier this offseason, creating one of the NHL’s most complicated trade situations and turning him into one of the best players available in the market.
Larkin has five seasons remaining on his eight-year, $69.6 million contract with an $8.7 million average annual value and holds a full no-movement clause. That clause gives Larkin control over where he can be traded, and it has become the central issue in Detroit’s effort to find a deal.
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The three teams initially named in Larkin's shortlist were the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. The problem is that each of those three franchises has already made significant offseason moves and isn't offering enough in exchange for Larkin.
Florida acquired Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators. Minnesota added center Blake Coleman from the Calgary Flames. Vegas signed defenseman Rasmus Andersson to a long-term deal with an $8.5 million cap hit and is now tight against the salary cap.
Making things worse for Detroit, and according to the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James, Larkin has not expanded his approved list beyond those three teams.
“In two-plus months since requesting trade from Red Wings, Dylan Larkin has not expanded his list (he has no-trade clause) from Florida, Minnesota, Vegas,” St. James wrote. “No offers from those teams have intrigued Wings. They want value-now players for a 1C with very favorable contract.”
That has turned the situation into a true stalemate. According to Sportsnet, Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman is seeking players “who can help his roster now, not draft picks and prospects.”
If Larkin’s list does not change, his return to Detroit becomes increasingly possible as he is under contract and the Red Wings are under no obligation to trade him.
