Dylan Larkin has reportedly added the Lightning to his expanded trade list, and Tampa Bay should treat that like an engraved invitation.
The Red Wings forward expanded his list to 10 teams this week, per Sportsnet. Utah, Washington, Carolina, New Jersey and Colorado joined too.
Tampa is the most interesting name of the bunch. Julien Brisebois has never been shy about pushing his chips in.
The center depth is the pitch. Brayden Point is the clear No. 1, while Anthony Cirelli is ideally a third-line center on a true contender.
Cirelli has five points through 11 games. Sliding him down the lineup would make Tampa a nightmare to match up against.
Larkin would slot in right behind Point. The 30-year-old carries an $8,700,000 cap hit.
The wingers are already in place. Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel each have seven goals, and Nikita Kucherov has 14 points.
Victor Hedman's status and a two-game skid raise the stakes in Tampa
The Lightning are 7-3-1, but they've dropped two straight, including a 5-4 overtime loss in Utah on Saturday.
They're perfect at 5-0-0 at home and just 2-3-1 on the road.
Victor Hedman is day-to-day after leaving Friday's game in Colorado early.
Adding a second top center is like bolting a second engine onto a plane that already flies. You don't need it until the day you really need it.
Brisebois should push hard and push now. Every week this drags on, more contenders join the line.
Detroit wants young centers back, per Elliotte Friedman, and the money has to work. That's the real hurdle for Tampa.
The Red Wings visit Tampa on November 3. If Larkin is still in Detroit colors that night, he'll be skating in the building that should want him most.
Should the Lightning go all in to land Dylan Larkin this season?
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