The Detroit Red Wings handling of the Dylan Larkin saga is much like Cedar Point rollercoasters.
One minute, you’re sitting there waiting for the ride to begin. Next second, boom! You’re zero-to-60 miles an hour in less than three seconds.
Fans and media alike are going from nothing happening to everything all at once.
Earlier this week, Elliotte Friedman sent out this tweet:
This is the current situation:
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 29, 2026
Larkin will not play until a trade occurs. The Red Wings are expected to release a statement. https://t.co/vx7TE2FQBz
Followed by an update from John Wiedman (@chiweidman, reporter and insider for the PHWA and the Athletic, as well as Chicago Blackhawks’ radio voice):
My understanding is #LGRW Dylan Larkin’s camp have been told to expect news on a trade within the next 48 hours. Both #gobolts and #allcaps have emerged as favorites proposing very compelling offers. Hearing F Ryan Leonard may be in play
— John Wiedman (@chiwiedman) October 29, 2026
If the Washington Capitals are at all serous about including a package surrounding Ryan Lenoard, the Minnesota Wild might not even have a real chance to acquire Larkin at this stage.
Who the Red Wings could target
Leonard, the younger brother of Grand Rapids Griffins prolific offensive star John Leonard, is a right-handed shooting center, born on January 21, 2005 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Elite Prospects lists him at 6’1” and 205 lbs. Drafted eighth overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Level Draft, Leonard would be the best return the Wings could dream of for Larkin.
Granted, he is on a much better Washington Capitals team, but in just two seasons he’s amassed 24 goals and 29 assists for a total of 53 points over 86 games played.
Outside of Leonard, David Pagnotta mentioned a "well-placed source" included the Proatas brothers drawing the Wings' interest. Aliaksei and Ilya Protas are Belarusian forwards selected at 91st overall (third round, 2019) and 75th overall (third round, 2024) respectively.
The elder Protas is more established in the NHL, he's played games as far back as 2021-22 for the Capitals. His most recent season (2025-26) saw him play in 76 games with 25 goals and 27 assists for a total of 52 points.
The younger Protas has played games in the NHL last season (just four games where he scored once and earned three assist for a total of five points). This season, he's played in 11 games, scoring once and assting and four points for a total of five points.
Pagnotta notes that Washington may be unwilling to part with the duo.
If the Capitals offer either Leonard, or the Protas brothers are part of the return package for Larkin, then the Wings need to be ready to pul the trigger.
Another candidate that could leapfrog the Wild
The Tampa Bay Lightning are interesting suitors. Connor Geekie might draw attention, as he's a 22 year old center. As promising as Geekie is, if the Wings have a choice between Leonard or Geekie, they likely go with Leonard.
In terms of Minnesota, there’s not really a comparable young player that the Wild would be willing to part with.
Previous general manager, Steve Yzerman, supposedly requested Matt Boldy in a trade for Larkin. Clearly, Minnesota were not interested in parting with the young forward (as the trade would have likely happened already).
Outside of Boldy, the Wild have Joel Eriksson-Ek, a decent forward, but not quite the potential of Leonard. There are young players like Bobby Brink and Danila Yurov who might catch a sparing glance. However, they still aren’t in the same tier of Leonard.
It seems like the bidding war for Detroit Red Wings star, Dylan Larkin, may have passed the Minnesota Wild by. Hopefully, Hockeytown will be better for it.
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