If you told a hockey fan a month ago that the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings might be logical trading partners for a franchise-altering blockbuster, they would have laughed you out of the arena. But according to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the contract stalemate in Texas and a trade request in Motown might be on a collision course.
Dylan Larkin’s agent, Pat Brisson, and Detroit GM Steve Yzerman are respectfully trying to navigate a tricky situation. Larkin originally handed in a tight three-team trade list consisting of the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers. However, Yzerman has reportedly asked the Larkin camp to expand that list to facilitate a better return, and Brisson is receptive. Enter the Dallas Stars. LeBrun recently noted that if Dallas fails to sign superstar winger Jason Robertson to a contract extension, swapping him for Larkin is serious “food for thought.”
The smoke is real, and the fit is incredibly intriguing. Let’s break down why this jaw-dropping scenario actually holds water.
Why a Dylan Larkin to the Dallas Stars Trade Works
My take as an NHL analyst who has watched the market fluctuate for years: If Larkin genuinely wants out of Detroit, expanding his list is his only real ticket to a contender. Handcuffing Steve Yzerman, one of the most ruthless and calculating GMs in the league with only three teams drastically limits Detroit’s leverage. Adding a team like the Dallas Stars to his preferred destinations gives Yzerman the flexibility he needs to construct an acceptable return package.
For the Dallas Stars, the addition of Dylan Larkin would give them one of the most formidable one-two punches down the middle in the Western Conference. Putting Larkin alongside Roope Hintz transforms Dallas into an absolute nightmare matchup for opposing coaches. Larkin plays a 200-foot game, possesses elite speed, and would thrive in a system where he isn’t the sole focal point of the offense every single night.
Jason Robertson Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 808 | 276 | 367 | 643 | -100 |
| Playoffs | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 |
The Jason Robertson Dilemma in Dallas
If the Stars can’t get Robertson under contract, general manager Jim Nill’s back is against the wall. The 27-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, just a year away from unrestricted free agency, and lacks any no-trade protection. Dallas cannot afford to lose him for nothing. Offering him to the Detroit Red Wings for Larkin solves an immediate headache for Dallas while providing Yzerman with the elite, first-line scoring winger Detroit desperately craves.
However, in this scenario, Detroit needs absolute assurances. The Red Wings cannot pull the trigger on a deal of this magnitude unless Robertson is willing to sign a long-term extension upon his arrival in the Motor City. While Robertson instantly upgrades their top six, moving Larkin leaves Detroit remarkably thin down the middle, essentially stripping them of a legitimate first and second-line center. Yzerman would immediately have to hit the trade market or free agency to fill the massive void Larkin leaves behind.
It’s a high-risk, high-reward proposition for both franchises. The Dallas Stars get a two-way center in Dylan Larkin who can push them over the playoff hump, while the Detroit Red Wings get an elite goal-scorer in Jason Robertson to build around, provided they can patch the hole at center.
Jason Robertson Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 456 | 213 | 277 | 490 | 117 |
| Playoffs | 62 | 23 | 29 | 52 | -6 |
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