When the news broke that Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings, 31 other teams were licking their lips. Who wouldn't want to add a Larkin-calibre player? Well, unfortunately, reports are circulating that Larkin has submitted a three-team trade list, and now the Red Wings are stuck working with some of those teams to try and facilitate a trade with their captain.
Three potential trade frameworks
Although it won't be easy. The potential returns that they could get aren't terrible. The Red Wings can try their best to land the best package for their captain, which could include draft capital, prospects, and NHL level talent. So, with that, let's look at three realistic mock trades that the Red Wings could see if they talk trade with the reported teams that Larkin is interested in going to.
Florida offers the cleanest return
First up, let's look at a trade with the Florida Panthers. On paper, this deal makes the most sense for the Red Wings. Out of all three teams, the Panthers do have the most assets that they could move that draw the most similarities to the Quinn Hughes trade last season.
Detroit Red Wings receive:Â Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, No. 9 overall pick (2026), and the 2027 2nd-round pick
Florida Panthers receive: Dylan Larkin
The Panthers have something a lot of contenders don't right now: a top-10 pick. Holding the No. 9 selection gives them a legitimate asset to build around in trade talks, especially since so many of their veterans have trade protection.
Anton Lundell is probably the piece that makes the most sense for Detroit. He's only 24, already plays a strong two-way game, and his $5 million cap hit is more than manageable. Adding Eetu Luostarinen as a middle-six option and the ninth overall pick gives them a mix of help for today and a pick that could end up replacing Larkin in terms of popularity and impact down the road.
Minnesota could offer a king's ransom
Next up, let's take a closer look at the Minnesota Wild. They are a team that really can't miss out on Larkin. He is exactly what they need to get over the hump. Although their roster is great, they lack a true number one center and with Larkin, they'd have that.
Detroit Red Wings receive: Danila Yurov, Jesper Wallstedt, RFA rights to Bobby Brink, 2027 1st-round pick, and the 2028 1st-round pick
Minnesota Wild receive: Dylan Larkin
If Yzerman is trading his captain to the Wild, he is going to demand a king's ransom, and this package could fit the asking price. By targeting Jesper Wallstedt, Detroit immediately solves its long-term question mark in net. The 23-year-old Swedish netminder has the elite, franchise-altering ceiling to anchor a team for the next decade. It also makes goalie prospects like Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine expendable to acquire more assets.
Adding in both Bobby Brink and Danila Yurov gives the Red Wings some highly skilled youthful forwards. Yurov is coming off a 27-point rookie season, where he showed he can drive top-six offence at the NHL level right now. As for Brink, he was traded to the Wild at the deadline from the Philadelphia Flyers. And he could be on the move again if Yzerman pushes to add him to the trade, which he should, especially considering he is an everyday NHLer. The deal also includes two first-round picks in the 2027 and 2028 drafts, which allows Detroit to continue to add first-round talent to their prospect pool.
Vegas is the least appealing option
Last but not least, the team everyone loves to hate: the Vegas Golden Knights. This deal is not as close to any of the previous deals. In fact, if Yzerman can't get a deal done with the Panthers or Wild, he should ask Larkin to expand his trade list, rather than accepting a trade from Vegas. At this point in their franchise, they've used up so many of their assets, it just isn't worth it for Yzerman to trade him to Vegas. Especially when it only really favours the Golden Knights.
Detroit Red Wings receive: Tomas Hertl, Adin Hill, Trevor Connelly, 2028 1st-round pick, and a 2029 1st-round pick
Vegas Golden Knights receive: Dylan Larkin
As mentioned above, this version of the deal is not nearly as strong, with the main value coming from Trevor Connelly and the first-round picks. Hertl does at least give Yzerman some flexibility, since there is a chance he could be flipped again later for additional assets depending on how things unfold in Detroit.
Adin Hill and John Gibson could help steady the crease in the short term while the younger goaltending prospects develop, but that only really works if Detroit also moves Cossa. There is also the option of swapping Hertl for William Karlsson, although his expiring contract makes that a tougher fit in a Larkin deal, even if he could slide in well alongside his fellow countryman Lucas Raymond.
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