After Dylan Larkin looked around the dressing room that was filled with friends from college and young players who depended on his leadership, he determined they were not worthy.
The Detroit Red Wings aren’t worthy of his time. His energy. His wisdom.
We would all prefer a Rasmus Dahlin—a fellow captain in a city [Buffalo, NY] that had an extended playoff drought, who was fed up with losing. Instead of requesting out of the franchise, Dahlin dragged his team into the playoffs. Not everyone has the dedication and inner drive that Dahlin has and that’s okay.
It’s understandable that as Larkin reaches 30 years of age, he wants to chase Lord Stanley. The circumstances, though, are questionable at best.
Dylan Larkin has to be embarrassed with his trade request
As Larkin sees some of his closet friends get traded to destinations they request, it must be confusing and hard to understand.
Take for example Quinn Hughes.
Contrary to Larkin, Hughes didn’t have five years remaining on his eight-year contract. He didn’t even say which places he would accept a trade to or who he would sign a contract extension with—something used in trade scenarios that can increase (or sometimes decrease) the value of the player being traded.
In his initial media availability following the trade from the Vancouver Canucks to Minnesota Wild, Hughes expressed gratitude that his new general manager footed the bill on his acquisition cost, as he wasn’t cheap to acquire. Supposedly, it was the very first offer from Minnesota, as well, which reflected the Wild’s intense desire to acquire Hughes.
Minnesota has circled Larkin since news broke (and it wouldn’t be all that shocking if the Wild were the group that leaked Larkin’s trade request in the first place, though there is no evidence of this. Neither Larkin’s camp nor the Red Wings benefited from this leak). Clearly, their first offers weren’t impressive like they were with Hughes.
At the time, Minnesota had more abundance in their cupboards, and Hughes is one of the best defensemen in the league. While Larkin is an impactful player, he’s not of the same caliber. That said, if the Wild really wanted Larkin, they have been shown to make things happen immediately. Not let it stew for weeks (to months) on end.
Then, you look at a scenario like the Florida Panthers. Rumors swirled that they offered Anton Lundell (plus other assets) in exchange for Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. In an ideal world, Detroit would receive a player exactly like Lundell in exchange for Larkin. Maybe Florida offered Lundell for Larkin. Maybe not.
Obviously, the clubs haven’t come to an agreement. Of the three teams on his original list, only Minnesota has reportedly shown serious interest.
Meanwhile, to Detroit Red Wings fans and the organization, Larkin was the guy. The captain. The top center. The guy who meant everything.
To demand out and handcuffing his old team on the way out, essentially throwing away the key as he exits the crumbling castle, he’s finding out maybe he’s not as worthy as he thought he was to the world outside of Hockeytown.
Maybe it’s his goal. To fill a lesser role.
Larkin overplayed his hand
After Hughes joined Minnesota, he played without as much weight on his shoulders. He didn’t have to be a captain, or the guy. Just a part to a possible solution.
Realistically, though, it just has to sting Larkin’s pride, even just slightly, knowing that a team that valued someone so highly (by his team, fans, and city) isn’t worthy of the assets that are needed to fulfill his trade request. The Wild have shown by not trading for him up to this point that they like him, just not that much.
If the three teams on his list - Florida, Minnesota and the Vegas Golden Knights - wanted to trade for Larkin, they would have found a way to make it happen. Maybe they don’t view him as highly as the Wings. Still, that doesn’t make him any less valuable—at least in the eyes of the Red Wings.
Detroit can’t afford to lose this trade. No mater impossible it seems, they have to at least break even. Otherwise, there is no reason to trade Larkin. The fact that teams aren’t even wiling to “break even” on a trade for Larkin his disappointing on all accounts.
Of course, the Wings organization being stuck in a state of flux doesn’t help things. However, if teams were that interested in Larkin the deal would have come to fruition as quickly as a Hughes or Brady Tkachuk deal. Clearly, there's something else going on.
Maybe it makes him reconsider. It’s unlikely, though, as a Michigan-born and raised kid doesn’t just randomly request a trade. He thought through his request and the repercussions and it’s not something that can be walked back.
We wanted Larkin at any cost. His three chosen teams, primarily Minnesota, only want him at the right price. He’s not worthy of more, in their eyes.
Some of us can empathize with Larkin as we all have had a friend we valued more than they valued us, even if it wasn’t so public of a realization.
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