Dylan Larkin is ready to compete for a Stanley Cup, and that is not a realistic goal for Detroit this season.
Dylan Larkin made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 2015 and played in five playoff games that season. Unfortunately, he has since endured a 10-year playoff drought with the franchise, the longest active streak in the NHL.
Larkin’s frustrations have finally come to a head this season, with the star requesting a trade away from the team that drafted him in 2014. Larkin has had enough of Detroit’s prolonged rebuild and is only interested in joining a team capable of contending for the Stanley Cup.
Larkin remains an All-Star-caliber first- or second-line center, a position coveted around the league. The 30-year-old has plenty of suitors, but his no-trade clause means the Wings cannot simply trade him to any team. As a result, the best offer might not be the one the Red Wings ultimately accept.
The teams Larkin has included on his current trade list are Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Utah, Vegas and Washington. The issue with this list is that many of those teams have limited cap space, while Larkin’s current contract carries an $8.7 million cap hit through the 2030-31 season.
Three Potential Dylan Larkin Trades
Larkin to the Utah Mammoth
Utah Mammoth Receive:
C Dylan Larkin ($8.7 Million)
Detroit Red Wings Receive:
C Barrett Hayton ($4.775 Million)
C Caleb Desnoyers ($1.075 Million)
D Dmitri Simashev ($972,500)
2027 Second Round Pick (Utah)
the Utah Mammoth have just over $4 million in cap space this season and, after a strong start to the year, could look to acquire Larkin. However, the team would likely have to give up young talents Caleb Desnoyers and Dmitri Simashev, along with third-line centre Barrett Hayton and a draft pick, to land the star American forward.
Utah was one of the 10 teams on Larkin’s list of preferred destinations, meaning he would waive his no-trade clause to join the team. The Mammoth could look to establish itself as a contender during its third NHL season.
Larkin to the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild Receive:
C Dylan Larkin ($8.7 Million)
2028 6th Round Pick (Detroit)
Detroit Red Wings Receive:
C Danila Yurov ($972,500)
C Charlie Stramel ($1.075 Million)
2027 4th Round Pick (Minnesota)
One of the most frequently discussed destinations for Larkin is the Minnesota Wild. Larkin is close to both Quinn Hughes and Matthew Boldy from their time playing for Team USA, and the Red Wings centre would welcome a move to Minnesota. Larkin would slot comfortably onto a first line alongside Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov or become one of the NHL’s best second-line centers.
The Wild would likely have to part with two promising future star centres, Danila Yurov and Charlie Stramel, in a deal for the established Larkin.
Larkin to the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils Receive:
C Dylan Larkin ($8.7 Million)
Detroit Red Wings Receive:
RW Timo Meier ($8.8 Million)
D Anton Silayev ($1.075 Million)
C Alexander Command (2026: Round 1, Pick 12)
Instead of joining Quinn Hughes in Minnesota, Larkin could be traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he would reunite with Jack Hughes. The Devils appear eager to make a push for the Stanley Cup this season after acquiring 2025 Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck earlier this season.
In this deal, the Red Wings could receive Timo Meier, who has established himself as a quality NHL player but has not fit particularly well in New Jersey this season. By adding Larkin, the Devils could move Jack Hughes to the wing or form one of the league’s most talented group of three centers.
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