The Anaheim Ducks are tired of simply participating; they are ready to contend. After a stinging second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights, Anaheim’s front office is looking to make a seismic shift. If you want to know what it takes to elevate from a good team to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, the answer almost always lies right down the middle of the ice. That is exactly why the Anaheim Ducks have firmly set their sights on Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin.
General Manager Pat Verbeek is no stranger to swinging big, and he knows Larkin intimately from his tenure as the Red Wings’ assistant GM. Over the past two years, Verbeek has been an active trade partner with his former club in the Motor City. Now, the NHL chatter is heating up that Verbeek might leverage those Detroit connections to pull off the biggest blockbuster of the offseason. If the Ducks are going to leapfrog Western Conference juggernauts, acquiring a two-way, dynamic force like Larkin is the exact type of move that immediately rewards the fanbase.
Why Pat Verbeek Could Pull Off This Deal
In the NHL, relationships dictate trades just as much as assets do. Verbeek’s familiarity with Detroit’s front office, specifically Steve Yzerman, makes this more than just a pipe dream. Verbeek knows Larkin’s work ethic, his locker room presence, and his ability to drive play against top pairings. The Anaheim Ducks are entering their Cup-contending window, and a 1-2 punch of Leo Carlsson and Dylan Larkin down the middle would give opposing coaches nightmares.
However, pry a captain out of a hockey market like Detroit requires a king’s ransom. According to Patrick Present of The Hockey News, the Ducks are uniquely positioned with the draft capital and young talent to make a highly enticing pitch.
Evaluating the Proposed Ducks Trade Package for Dylan Larkin
What would it actually take to get the Detroit Red Wings to bite? Present suggests an offer centered around young, power-forward center Mason McTavish, a second-tier defensive prospect such as Eric Nilsson or Lasse Boelius, and a first-round pick.
My expert take: Trading Mason McTavish is a massive pill to swallow for Ducks fans. He is a cost-controlled, physical center with an incredibly high ceiling. But if you want a proven, point-per-game, elite two-way pivot like Larkin, you cannot offer spare parts. The Ducks have a surplus of young defensive talent, making a prospect like Nilsson or Boelius expendable. The real hurdle isn’t the package; it’s the player’s control. The Ducks have plenty of factors giving them an edge, but ultimately, it will come down to whether Southern California is on Larkin’s short list of approved trade destinations. If Verbeek can sell him on the vision, the Ducks instantly become a terrifying team in the Pacific Division.
Dylan Larkin Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 808 | 276 | 367 | 643 | -100 |
| Playoffs | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 |
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