The Dylan Larkin saga in Detroit has been one of the more drawn-out storylines heading into this NHL season, and just when it seemed like things might be stuck in neutral forever, there's been a significant development. The former Red Wings captain, who initially requested a trade in the spring with a frustratingly short list of preferred destinations, has apparently decided to open things up a bit.
From three teams to ten
When Larkin first made his trade request known, he was only willing to waive his no-movement clause for three clubs: the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. That kind of restriction made life extremely difficult for anyone in Detroit's front office trying to find a deal that worked. Three teams is barely anything to work with, and it left the Red Wings with almost zero leverage in negotiations.
Now, according to reports, Larkin has expanded that list to a much more workable ten teams. The full list reportedly includes the Panthers, Wild, and Golden Knights from before, along with the Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche. That's a pretty solid group of contenders and competitive teams, which makes sense given that Larkin clearly wants to play meaningful hockey.
One notable omission? The Montreal Canadiens. This is particularly amusing given that Habs fans broke into "We want Larkin!" chants less than a minute into a recent game between Montreal and Detroit. The passion was there from the fanbase, but apparently the feeling isn't mutual.
What's holding up a deal?
Even with ten teams now in the mix, a trade hasn't materialized yet, and there are a couple of reasons for that. For starters, the Red Wings' front office has been in a state of transition. Former general manager Steve Yzerman was removed from his position on July 15, and while he had been fielding calls about Larkin, those conversations essentially froze while the organization searched for his replacement. That search is still ongoing, though Shawn Horcoff was elevated to interim GM in September and reportedly has the authority to pull the trigger on a Larkin deal.
The other sticking point is what Detroit wants in return. Reports indicate the Red Wings have been pushing for "value-now" players rather than the typical rebuilding package of prospects and draft picks. That's a tough ask for teams that would be acquiring Larkin, as most contenders aren't eager to part with established roster players on top of taking on his contract.
Meanwhile, Larkin has been suiting up for Detroit despite the awkwardness of the whole situation. He missed training camp with an upper-body injury but has managed one goal and three points through six games this season. Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli recently commented on how difficult it would be to play alongside a disgruntled teammate, calling it a "nightmare" scenario, essentially saying out loud what the Red Wings organization has been trying to avoid acknowledging publicly.
With the expanded list now giving Horcoff and the Red Wings significantly more trade partners to negotiate with, the odds of a deal getting done have improved considerably. But until Detroit adjusts its asking price or a team steps up with the right mix of assets, Larkin could remain in a Red Wings sweater for a while longer. The clock is ticking, though, and everyone involved knows it.