Pierre LeBrun just reported that the Red Wings are putting pressure on Dylan Larkin and his agents to open up his list of teams once again.
The answer, once again, was no. That is the part that matters, because this is not the first time the question has been asked.
According to the NHL Rumour Report, LeBrun said the Red Wings are pushing the Larkin camp to widen that list, and that the response over the last few days has stayed the same.
-
The pressure arrives as Detroit plays host to the Golden Knights tonight, which is a awkward backdrop for a captain who is still in the lineup and still wearing the C.
The market has been busy. Dylan Larkin's refusal to waive for Buffalo came Wednesday, even after Chris Johnston reported the Sabres made a pretty big offer.
Larkin has a say in where he goes, and he is using it. Detroit can ask as many times as it likes, but the decision is his.
Why Detroit wants the list wider
A bigger list means more bidders, and more bidders means a better return for general manager Shawn Horcoff. With only a few teams in play, the Red Wings lose leverage fast.
Utah is already lurking. The Mammoth staying in the mix for Larkin in case the price drops shows how teams are positioning themselves.
There was even talk of a creative route, with Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff reporting the Flyers could broker a three-team deal involving Detroit and the Wild.
On the ice, the Red Wings are 7-6-3 and sit 8th in the Atlantic Division, with a goal differential of -2. They lost 4-2 at Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. That is not a team out of it, which makes the timing of this push even more interesting.
Larkin has six points in 10 games this season, with a +3 rating. He is 30 years old and has 649 career points over 818 games, a résumé that keeps suitors calling.
Detroit is sending a message, and Larkin is sending one back. Who blinks first will shape this market, and Todd McLellan's room is living in the middle of it tonight against Vegas.
Should Dylan Larkin open his list and let the Red Wings move him?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Injury update: Mike Babcock explains why Matt Tomkins starts for the Oilers
