Dylan Larkin remains at the center of Detroit's trade talk as Todd McLellan and the Red Wings face a major decision involving their captain.
The Minnesota Wild continue to be connected to Larkin, but the potential return Detroit would seek could make a deal extremely difficult to build.
Elliotte Friedman explained that Detroit wouldn't be looking for futures if the organization decided to move Larkin. The Red Wings would want established NHL talent capable of helping their lineup immediately.
"If Detroit trade [Dylan Larkin], they wanna get help now; everybody knows Minnesota wants Larkin, and if you're Detroit you're probably asking for Matt Boldy..."
Friedman also identified Joel Eriksson Ek as the type of player Detroit could target, while pointing to Minnesota's obvious hesitation about moving such important pieces.
-
That's where the trade discussion becomes complicated. Adding Larkin would strengthen Minnesota down the middle, but surrendering Boldy or Eriksson Ek would create another significant opening elsewhere in the lineup.
Detroit's asking price changes the Larkin conversation
Detroit's position also explains why a Larkin trade isn't as simple as collecting draft picks and prospects. Moving the captain while trying to remain competitive would leave the Red Wings needing an immediate replacement.
Steve Yzerman remains Detroit's general manager, while McLellan is behind the bench. That puts the organization in a spot where any major roster move has to fit the current NHL lineup rather than only a future plan.
Minnesota faces the opposite problem. The Wild may have interest in Larkin, but moving one of their established core forwards to acquire him could amount to shifting strength from one position to another.
That gap between what Detroit would want and what Minnesota would realistically surrender could become the biggest obstacle in any talks.
Larkin's name may continue circulating as the season moves forward, especially with Minnesota attached to the situation. But Detroit's apparent desire for proven NHL help sets a demanding price.
Unless that position changes, the Wild would have to decide how much of their current core they're willing to disturb to bring Larkin into their top six.
Should the Wild trade a core player for Dylan Larkin?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Dylan Larkin gets booed by entire Red Wings arena and walks off the bench
