It's been exactly a week since the start of free agency, and the Minnesota Wild have yet to address their need for a top line center. While the free agent market was weak for centers, the trade block had very enticing options. One that is still on the market is Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who the Wild have let it be known they are interested in.
While that is all well and good, the Wild still don't have Larkin on their roster. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has let it be known that he won't trade Larkin for the sake of trading him, and want a strong return. Thus far, the Wild haven't made an offer that the Red Wings like, so they are stuck in a waiting period. But when could there be a solution to the Larkin saga in Detroit?
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski recently covered overreactions to some of the top stories in the NHL and if they are worthy of such a distinction. For the overreaction of Larkin starting next season with the Red Wings, Wyshynski expressed his belief that there should be a trade solution beforehand.
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski believes Dylan Larkin trade saga should resolve before 2026-27 season
"[Yzerman's] wager, and it's a good one: that Larkin will not want to walk into training camp as a captain abandoning his ship, nor will he want to sit out for an indefinite amount of time with no pay if he doesn't report. Hence, the hope is that he'll expand his trade horizons beyond a team that doesn't want to break up its core (Florida) and teams that might not have the pieces Yzerman is seeking (Minnesota and Vegas)," writes Wyshynski.
"Larkin's agent Pat Brisson is a pragmatist. He has navigated choppier waters in the past. The relationship between player and GM is likely too far gone to repair. Even though Yzerman can win the waiting game, this one should be resolved before the season."
Wild fans will certainly hope that a conclusion is reached, and that it results in Larkin ending up in Minnesota. That's one thing. But they'd have to bank on the Red Wings lessening their asking price.
Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman noted on a recent episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast that the Wild's offer to the Red Wings for Larkin has been "futures oriented," which isn't what Yzerman is interested in. Considering the Wild gave up three of their top young players for Quinn Hughes last December, their prospect pipeline is a bit shallow. Danila Yurov and Charlie Stramel have been floated around in potential trades, including for Larkin, but all indications are that neither of those players aren't deemed quality enough to finalize a trade.
Larkin holds a full no-movement clause, and he let it be known he'd like to be traded to the Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, or Florida Panthers. It's virtually down to the Wild and Golden Knights, as the Panthers pivoted to acquiring Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators. Yzerman did ask Larkin to expand his trade list, but new reporting suggests that Larkin hasn't done so. But Yzerman does hold the cards in terms of finalizing a trade. After the draft, Yzerman said while Larkin did request a trade, he doesn't necessarily have to fulfill it.
"My job as the manager of the Detroit Red Wings is always to do what is in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings, and I will act accordingly to that," Yzerman said, h/t ESPN. "I cannot make any guarantees, or did not make any guarantees, that that request could or would be met."
As of now, Larkin trade talks appear to have stalled. Maybe things change once we get closer to training camp. For the Wild's sake, they better hope that's the case, and that their offer is enticing enough for Yzerman to give the thumbs up on a trade.
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