The unthinkable is happening in Hockeytown: Dylan Larkin wants out. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, the Detroit Red Wings captain has submitted a formal trade request, and after assessing the league’s landscape, his primary destination choice is the Dallas Stars.
If you are wondering how a franchise cornerstone suddenly hits the trade block, you aren’t alone. But the reality is stark: there won’t be any common ground found between the Detroit Red Wings and Dylan Larkin that would see him return to the team next season.
Initially, Larkin’s preferred list included the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Minnesota Wild. However, the flat cap era is unforgiving. With Vegas and Florida lacking both the cap space and the blue-chip assets required to facilitate a blockbuster deal, Larkin was forced to pivot. He has now expanded his list to include the Stars. But getting a deal done for a premier top-line center will require Jim Nill and Steve Yzerman to navigate a massive financial minefield.
The Salary Cap Hurdles for the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings
As an NHL insider evaluating this situation, my take is that while the Minnesota Wild are still believed to be Larkin’s other preferred landing spot, the math simply doesn’t add up. Minnesota is severely handicapped by the Quinn Hughes trade. They likely cannot afford the hefty asking price Steve Yzerman will command. Yzerman is a ruthless negotiator; he is going to want a king’s ransom of A-tier prospects and first-round picks to move his top center.
This leaves the Dallas Stars sitting in the driver’s seat, but they have their own massive internal domino that needs to fall first. The feasibility of Dallas acquiring the Detroit Red Wings star depends entirely on whether they re-sign superstar winger Jason Robertson.
If Jim Nill commits a massive chunk of his salary cap to Robertson, the Stars simply won’t be able to absorb Larkin’s $8.7 million AAV. Dallas has a promising young core, but squeezing two massive contracts under the ceiling might require Detroit to retain salary, an option Yzerman will charge an immense premium for.
What a Dylan Larkin Trade Means for the Central Division
If the Stars pull this off, the power dynamic in the Central Division shifts overnight. A one-two punch down the middle featuring Roope Hintz and Dylan Larkin would make Dallas a terrifying matchup come playoff time.
However, Larkin truly wants to move on from the Detroit Red Wings. If Dallas cannot clear the necessary cap space, or if Nill refuses to part with his top prospects, Larkin might be forced to expand his trade list to even more teams to finally secure his exit. The clock is officially ticking.
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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