Dylan Larkin and Todd McLellan are still tied to Detroit, even with Minnesota pushing hardest from the outside.
Chris Johnston's update is the key turn here. His read was that, right now, this is down to the Wild or the Red Wings, with Minnesota showing real desire to land Larkin.
That matters because this file has moved past random trade noise. Steve Yzerman already confirmed Larkin asked out, and Detroit has had time to decide what kind of return it would actually need.
The answer looks steep for a reason. Larkin scored 34 goals and 67 points in 74 games last season, and he still has 5 years left on his contract.
Detroit is not sitting on a fading asset. It is sitting on its captain, a first-line center, and one of the few players on the roster who still drives offense every night.
That is why Minnesota keeps coming up. The Wild have a real hole for what Larkin is, and Johnston's wording makes it sound like that interest is not casual.
If the Wild want him badly enough, they have the kind of player Detroit would ask about first. Matt Boldy is 25 and just posted 42 goals and 85 points in 76 games.
" Chris Johnston: With Dylan Larkin, right now to me it's Minnesota or the Red Wings; [the Wild] have a need for what Larkin is; they have a real desire to try to get him - Chris Johnston Show (7/2) "
-
Dylan Larkin's future may have just been decided after Johnston's latest report/h2>
That is the strongest angle now. If Yzerman moves Larkin, it has to reshape the Red Wings right away, not fill the system with softer futures.
-
Boldy fits that kind of demand better than picks ever would. He is younger than Larkin, under control, and already one of Minnesota's most important scorers.
The hard part for the Wild is obvious. John Hynes already coaches through Kirill Kaprizov and Boldy as major drivers, so taking one out to solve center changes the whole look of the lineup.
-
That leaves Detroit in a strong spot. McLellan gets to keep coaching Larkin unless another club meets a price that actually hurts.
And that is why Johnston's update lands. Minnesota may want Dylan Larkin, but wanting him and paying Detroit's kind of price are 2 very different things.
For now, the Wild look like the most serious outside team. The Red Wings still look like the most likely place Larkin starts the season unless Matt Boldy-level value really hits the table.
Should the Wild pay a Matt Boldy-level price to get Dylan Larkin?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Anaheim Ducks make surprising Leo Carlsson decision after the offer sheet
