I know, I know.
The Vegas Golden Knights can't keep getting away with this.
But, if any team is willing to do crazy NHL blockbusters, it's Vegas.
The Detroit Red Wings have a Dylan Larkin-sized problem they need to solve and the Golden Knights might just be the team to solve it for them.
On one hand, it could be a "rich get richer" situation where the Golden Knights become the Los Angeles Dodgers of the NHL. On the other, it's a chance for both teams to get what they need. For Vegas, it's a chance to free up some salary and upgrade at center. For Detroit, it's an opportunity to remain competitive while recouping as much as they can with their captain on the outs.
Here's what a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights would look like:
Red Wings receive: Pavel Dorofeyev, William Karlsson, 2028 1st round pick
Golden Knights receive: Dylan Larkin
Larkin trade beneficial for both parties
This is the kind of trade that leaves both parties comfortable, but, overall, happy in the long run. The Golden Knights get to extend their window by adding Larkin, building a phenomenal one-two punch of Jack Eichel and Larkin on the top-six.
The Red Wings, on the other hand, fill two needs while leaving another still open.
Pavel Dorofeyev is a 25-year-old top line winger. Last season, he put up an impressive 37 goals and 27 assists for 64 points in 82 games. He's somehow been even better in the playoffs, sporting 14 points in 20 games so far. He immediately solves Detroit's top line winger issue and makes a deadly combination alongside Lucas Raymond.
William Karlsson, on the other hand, is the longest tenured Golden Knight in franchise history. While he's struggled with injuries, "Wild Bill" still has it at the NHL level. Through an injury-riddled season, Karlsson managed seven points in 14 games -- a half a point-per-game pace. In the playoffs, he's turned on the jets once again, putting up nine points in 14 games.
Karlsson, 33, makes $5.9M for the next season. While he's a few seasons removed from his last 60-point season, he is still a capable top-six center and would work wonders as the team's second line center.
With the way Vegas has built its core, it's unlikely their 2028 first round pick manifests into a high-end, immediately impactful talent. But, ideally, the Red Wings can flip it in a few years when they're finally ready to seriously contend.
Hypothetical Vegas trade still leaves questions unanswered
That said, despite solving the 2C and top winger problem, this trade wouldn't address the elephant in the room. Without Larkin, the team doesn't have a top line center. There really isn't a player on the team's current roster that can fill in at that top line role. Marco Kasper did a brief audition last season, but he's not consistent enough yet to be relied upon like that.
Thus, another trade would need to happen before the season starts.
All in all, as far as Larkin's limited list goes, this one helps to address immediate issues while leaving some room for interpretation with the top line center role.
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