One of the main teams that the Detroit Red Wings have talked to about a Dylan Larkin trade is the Minnesota Wild. They are one of the few teams that Larkin is willing to accept a trade to. While conversations appear to be ongoing, they have yet to make progress, as Steve Yzerman keeps asking for players who can make an impact next season.
Elliotte Friedman suggested on the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast that one of the players the Red Wings should be targeting is Joel Eriksson Ek. He'd be a player who would make trading Larkin worth it.
Eriksson Ek is coming off a bounce-back season. After lower-body injuries sidelined him for 36 games in 2024-25, he was able to remain relatively healthy last season. In 70 games, he logged 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points. Sure, it's not the 60-point season he put up early this decade, but it's a step in the right direction.
His advanced metrics also show he produced more offense than his point total suggests. According to Natural Stat Trick, he had a 51.09 CF%, a 44.58 SCF%, and a 54.03 xG%.
Conversations surrounding Dylan Larkin to the Wild should start and stop with Joel Eriksson Ek
Not only is Eriksson Ek solid on offense, but he can be a contributor on defense as well. He has received Selke votes in six straight seasons, including four top-ten finishes. He may not be the most physical player, but he is able to use his 6' 3", 207-pound frame to impose his will. He is not afraid to push players around or get in the middle of the action to break up a play. This prevents the opponent from creating solid scoring chances.
The most underrated part of Eriksson Ek's game is his ability to be a pest. He is known for being able to get under opponents' skin and frustrate players who play against him. He does this through battling in front of the net, creating chaos on both ends of the ice. This will help the Red Wings form a stronger team identity. The Wings are currently missing the edge that the league's best teams have. Eriksson Ek would go a long way in helping create that culture.
While Eriksson Ek is not the perfect replacement for Larkin, he is someone that they can immediately put into their top six. He would probably slide right into Larkin's spot on the top line alongside Emmitt Finnie and Lucas Raymond. He is also someone who can be played on both ends of Detroit's special teams. This will be a huge addition to the Red Wings' penalty kill, which ranked in the bottom ten of the league last year.
Although he may not be Larkin, the Red Wings should be asking for Eriksson Ek in return for him. He will lessen the blow to the Wings roster, can give them a solid piece they can build around.
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