Red Wings: Four teams that could target Dylan Larkin

Trading Detroit Red Wings center and captain Dylan Larkin with two years remaining before becoming a UFA would certainly be controversial. But might teams come calling?

General Manager Steve Yzerman has certainly fielded offers for important players in the past–and even made one for a core player in Anthony Mantha. Would Larkin ever be another? It’s one that would turn the city of Detroit upside down.

Larkin has be playing as the number one center for each of the last four seasons.  Initially, it looked like the right move.  Pavel Datsyuk took his game back to Russia and Henrik Zetterberg had a career ending back injury.  It was logical to move the top player on the team to the first line.

In 2018-19, his fourth season in the NHL, Larkin looked like the best player drafted by Detroit in several years.  In 76 games, Larkin scored a career high 32 goals and 73 points.

Since that season, the world and the NHL have been in turmoil.  The fall of the once mighty Red Wings and the global Covid-19 pandemic have literally forced the Red Wings to completely re-build the roster.  In 2019-20, Larkin scored 53 points in 71 games.  Last year, Larkin continued his free-fall with only 23 points in an injury-riddled 44 games.

Was last year an anomaly for Larkin or will it become a norm?  Could–or would–Yzerman potentially trade his captain before he becomes a UFA if he feels the deal is right?

These are questions that will surface throughout the next two seasons.  One recommendation is to move Larkin prior to this season, let the young players play, then use the capital obtained in the trade to further accelerate the re-build.

Here is a look at the four teams who could most likely pull off this feat prior to opening night.