Red Wings' Dylan Larkin Won't Play Until A Trade Occurs; Wild Remain Involved In Discussions

There was shocking NHL news this morning, as Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLennan announced that Dylan Larkin will not play tonight as the team faces the Chicago Blackhawks.

McLennan said interim GM Shawn Horcoff would address the situation and that the Red Wings would issue a statement. After the announcement, TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun said trade talks surrounding Larkin have escalated. While he noted a deal is not imminent, discussions have certainly escalated.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman added that he believes Detroit's plan is not to play the center until a trade is materialized. He later reiterated that report and added that the Red Wings are expected to provide a statement on the matter.

"There were talks in the last 24 hours between Larkin's camp and the Red Wings, both last night and again this morning, and what was communicated from the agents to Detroit was that Larkin feels he's given the team ample time since his trade request in May to get a deal done," said LeBrun. "Larkin has had enough, so decision was made he won't play tonight nor for foreseable future hoping a trade materializes. Fluid situation still. Red Wings circling back to teams with interest, etc., as talks escalate."

The 30-year-old reportedly expanded his list of teams he’ll accept as trade destinations, despite the no-move clause in his contract. In addition to the Wild, his list includes the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche.

The Wild have been heavily linked to Larkin. With connections to Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber, Larkin would have plenty of familiarity with the Wild's lineup. When Larkin announced he had requested a trade, the Wild quickly became frontrunners.

The fit makes lots of sense. The Wild want to add a top-six center, and Larkin's style of play fits the Wild's. Larkin could form a strong one-two punch with Joel Eriksson Ek. Larkin is a solid two-way center, but with the Wild, he could be asked to focus more offensively while Eriksson Ek continues his stellar two-way play.

This season, Larkin has scored two goals and six points in 10 games, averaging 21:41 of ice time. Larkin was stripped of the captaincy before the season started and missed the first few games while recovering from an injury.

The cost to trade for Larkin remains unknown, but many presume a deal could involve Danila Yurov and any of the Wild's upcoming first-round picks. There has also been speculation that the Wild's ability to land Larkin in a trade could impact Hughes' decision to re-sign in Minnesota. 

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