Dylan Larkin has asked out, leaving Todd McLellan and the Detroit Red Wings with a captain-sized problem before training camp.
Detroit is still evaluating offers while searching for a new general manager, a combination that makes an immediate deal difficult to complete.
Larkin has 5 seasons remaining at an $8,700,000 cap hit. His contract carries strong value, but his trade protection gives him major control over the destination.
The reported list includes the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild. Each club would need to create enough cap space to absorb him.
Philadelphia has also surfaced as a dark-horse possibility because of Larkin's relationships with several Flyers players. It isn't listed among his approved destinations.
Matt Larkin identified Minnesota as the current front-runner. The Wild have pursued help down the middle, but fitting Detroit's captain into their cap structure would require another move.
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Major Dylan Larkin update creates an even bigger problem for Detroit
The Red Wings need more than futures for a 29-year-old first-line center. Any deal must bring back immediate NHL value or create a clear path to replacing him.
That standard explains why talks may stretch into training camp. Detroit has little reason to accept a discounted package simply because Larkin wants a fresh start.
Steve Yzerman's move out of the general manager role added another layer. His strained relationship with Larkin reportedly helped drive the request, yet the captain still prefers a trade.
McLellan now faces the possibility of welcoming Larkin back into the locker room after the request became public. That would put every practice, line assignment and media session under a microscope.
The reaction from Detroit fans also matters. Larkin is a Michigan native and the face of the franchise, but requesting an exit after 10 straight playoff misses changed the relationship.
Minnesota may offer the cleanest hockey fit, while Dallas, Carolina and Vegas present stronger win-now situations. None has an easy financial route to completing the deal.
Detroit's next general manager will inherit a decision with no painless option. Keeping Larkin risks a tense return, while trading him for less than full value would weaken the roster immediately.
The Red Wings can wait because Larkin remains under contract. But once camp opens, this trade request will follow both the captain and the organization into every day of the season.
Should the Detroit Red Wings trade Dylan Larkin before camp?
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