Darren Dreger says the Red Wings haven't budged on any offer for Dylan Larkin, and that's why the center is frustrated.
The standoff has dragged into another weekend, with Detroit playing at Colorado tonight and no resolution in sight. Dreger's comments give the first real look at where the stalemate sits.
Two of the clubs in the mix are the ones you'd expect. Boston and Montreal both sit near the top of the Atlantic, the Bruins first at 12-4-1 and the Canadiens second at 10-3-3. Elliotte Friedman noted today that the Bruins are still working to get on Dylan Larkin's trade list.
Larkin's contract runs through 2030-31 at an $8.7 million cap hit, so any suitor is taking on a long commitment for a 30-year-old. That makes the offers Dreger describes matter even more, and it explains why Detroit isn't rushing.
On the ice, Larkin has 2 goals and 4 assists in 10 games this season, with a +3 rating. Detroit is 7-7-3 and has lost two straight.
| GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | |
| 2026-27 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | +3 |
| Career | 818 | 278 | 371 | 649 | -98 |
Dreger said on Wednesday's morning show that there have been lots of conversations between Boston and Detroit, and between Montreal and Detroit. But Detroit hasn't been willing to negotiate off any of the offers it has received.
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Why Detroit's patience could cost it
Here is the editorial call. Sitting on offers from two division rivals while the team is 20th in the NHL is a risky way to run a standoff. A frustrated player on a team 8th in the Atlantic is not a position of strength.
| 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 |
Detroit has its reasons. Our report on the Red Wings' Larkin trade talks noted the club is in no hurry and that a third team has surfaced. Waiting only works if a better offer is coming.
The Canadiens visit Toronto tonight, and the Bruins host Florida on Sunday. Both clubs are busy with their own games, but the Larkin calls haven't stopped. Whether Detroit finally negotiates off one of those offers is the open question hanging over the weekend.
Quick hits
COLORADO AVALANCHE: Jared Bednar will become the 48th coach in NHL history to reach 800 games tonight, when the Avalanche host the Red Wings, according to Avs Stats. Rare company.
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MINNESOTA WILD: Michael Russo reports the Foligno brothers are likely back for tonight's game against the Lightning. Mason Shaw has been assigned to Iowa.
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FLORIDA PANTHERS: Tom Wilson was ejected this afternoon after a 5-minute boarding major on Sandis Vilmanis, PuckReportNHL reports. Florida is playing at Washington.
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WASHINGTON CAPITALS: Jack St. Ivany scored the first goal of his NHL career, putting Washington up 1-0 on Florida tonight, per beat writer Sammi Silber. Nobody forgets that one.
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DALLAS STARS: Sam Steel is back in the lineup tonight against San Jose, and Colin Blackwell comes out, according to Mike Heika and Robert Tiffin.
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Should the Red Wings accept one of the Bruins or Canadiens offers for Dylan Larkin now?
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