Proposed Trade Sees Larkin, Edvinsson Sent to American Playoff Contender, Red Wings Receives Marquee Prospect

On Thursday, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Boston Bruins are among ten teams to have inquired about Detroit Red Wings restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson. While Boston drew the headlines, one widely discussed trade idea could solve several of Detroit's problems at once.

The proposal would send both Dylan Larkin and Edvinsson, the two Red Wings players said to prefer playing elsewhere, to the Bruins. The return would be headlined by James Hagens, the seventh overall pick in 2025.

Hagens, 19, has already shown he is NHL-ready, with a goal and two assists in five games this season and would give Detroit another cornerstone player who can help now and in the future.

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For Boston, Larkin would offer a solution at center that the team has lacked since the days of Patrice Bergeron. He could slot onto the top line with Morgan Geekie and David Pastrnak, giving the Bruins a truly lethal group. Edvinsson would perfectly slot into their left side of the defense and round out their top six defensemen.

The deal would give Boston meaningful additions at both ends of the lineup, after a season in which the team finished in the top ten in offense and the top 14 in defense, without costing the Bruins a significant part of their current roster.

There are caveats as Boston would have to agree to part with a top tier prospect like Hagens and be convinced the move puts them back in Cup contention. Larkin would also need to waive his no-move clause to go to Boston. 

It would be a blockbuster with ripple effects for years, but it could be the move both organizations are looking for.

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