Elliotte Friedman says the Bruins are still trying to get on Dylan Larkin's trade list, even though Boston reportedly isn't on it.
The Bruins have the record of a team that shouldn't need to chase anyone. They sit 12-4-1 and lead the Atlantic Division, yet Friedman believes they are among the clubs trying to convince the Red Wings captain to widen his list of acceptable destinations.
Buffalo, Montreal and St. Louis are reportedly pushing too. Darren Dreger added that Detroit director of pro scouting Kris Draper was at Boston's recent game against Vegas, which suggests the Red Wings are at least doing homework on the Bruins as a fit.
Larkin's position, though, hasn't moved. He has given Detroit a list of 10 teams, and his camp believes the Red Wings can work out a deal with one of them.
Boston apparently isn't on it. Detroit can keep exploring, but any trade needs Larkin's approval, which gives him all the leverage in the room.
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | DIFF | |
| 1. Boston Bruins | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 25 | +24 |
| 2. Montreal Canadiens | 16 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 23 | +6 |
| 3. Tampa Bay Lightning | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 22 | +10 |
| 4. Ottawa Senators | 17 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 21 | +2 |
| 5. Florida Panthers | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 20 | +5 |
| 6. Buffalo Sabres | 16 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 19 | -4 |
| 7. Toronto Maple Leafs | 17 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 18 | +6 |
| 8. Detroit Red Wings | 17 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 17 | -3 |
Boston's case is easy to understand on paper. The Bruins are third in the NHL with a +24 goal differential, and they beat Pittsburgh 6-2 on Thursday for their third straight win.
They host Florida on Sunday. That's a team playing with confidence, not one in obvious need of a rescue.
Why Larkin's list is the whole trade market
That's why this pursuit is a little odd. Chasing a 30-year-old center who has two assists on the power play and six points in 10 games this season, on a deal that carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31, is a questionable use of energy for a team already atop its division.
Detroit's side is more urgent. The Red Wings are 7-7-3, have lost two straight, and play at Colorado tonight, sitting eighth in the Atlantic.
We've been following this one for a while. The Kris Draper Canadiens visits and Larkin talk pointed to Montreal weeks ago, and the latest Dylan Larkin trade update says Detroit is in no hurry.
| GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | |
| 2026-27 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | +3 |
| Career | 818 | 278 | 371 | 649 | -98 |
For now, the market is only as big as Larkin wants it. Boston, Buffalo, Montreal and St. Louis can keep calling, but unless the captain adds a name to his list, Detroit's real options stay limited to those 10 teams.
Draper's presence at Boston's game shows the Red Wings are willing to listen. Whether Larkin is willing to say yes is the only question that moves this story.
Quick hits
MINNESOTA WILD: Kirill Kaprizov had a four-point night, according to Michael Russo, and the Wild beat the Sharks 4-1. That's a superstar doing superstar things.
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ANAHEIM DUCKS: Cutter Gauthier scored the go-ahead goal as the Ducks rallied to beat the Flames 5-3 in Calgary. Gauthier keeps showing up when the game is on the line.
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CALGARY FLAMES: The Flames' five-game winning streak ended at the Saddledome when the Ducks came back to win 5-3. A good run, but Gauthier's go-ahead goal stopped it cold.
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SAN JOSE SHARKS: Macklin Celebrini tied it for the Sharks, but they fell 4-1 at Minnesota for a fourth straight loss. San Jose needs more than one answer from its star.
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BUFFALO SABRES: The Sabres beat the Blue Jackets 5-2 at home, with Josh Norris scoring twice. Buffalo is also reportedly one of the teams pushing Larkin.
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Should the Bruins keep chasing Dylan Larkin even though he left them off his list?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Dylan Larkin trade update: a third team emerges in Wild-Red Wings talks
