On Thursday, the NHL world was shaken after a report from Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the team. That means for the first time in 11 years, Larkin is set to play for a new organization, and he holds all the cards, thanks to his full no-movement clause. For Larkin, he is now the most valuable player on the market in terms of the trade block and free agency.
The Minnesota Wild immediately come to mind as a perfect landing spot for Larkin. The Wild let it be known that they are looking to add a No. 1 center. Plus, Larkin was part of the gold medal-winning men's ice hockey team in this year's WInter Olympics alongside various members of the Wild, including general manager Bill Guerin, star Quinn Hughes, forward Matt Boldy, and defenseman Brock Faber. Plus, the Wild are a contender, and would be an enticing landing spot for Larkin is he is prioritizing making the playoffs with his new team.
But what kind of odds do the Wild have of landing Larkin?
In his latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast on Friday, Friedman said a Larkin trade "has the Wild written all over it."
Elliotte Friedman says Dylan Larkin trade has Wild 'written all over it'
"I think the No. 1 team everybody's looking at is Minnesota. This has the Wild written all over it," said Friedman. "I don't think Dallas is impossible. I don't think Tampa is impossible. I don't know that he's going to come to Canada. But Minnesota is the one team everyone's talking about."
Friedman won't count out the likes of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, or even the Florida Panthers, but he feels Larkin ending up on the Wild just makes too much sense. But what could it take?
Friedman suggests that a trade could include Danila Yurov, Charlie Stramel, and potentially more.
"There's a deal there. It's like, Yurov, Stramel, who knows what else," said Friedman. "It makes too much sense. But, it's up to [Steve Yzerman] and it's up to Larkin."
Stramel, their 2023 first-round pick, was expected to make his debut with the Wild towards the end of the regular season, but an injury suffered in the NCAA Tournament ended any chance of that happening. But Stramel has been floated around in potential trades for a top center, most notably for Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers.
As for Yurov, he has been the one player that Guerin was apprehensive about including in trades. Reports indicated that Rangers general manager Chris Drury wanted Yurov included in a Trocheck deal at the trade deadline, but the Wild would not budge. For Larkin, that could change, as he'd be an instant difference maker for the Wild, moreso than a Trocheck.
Of course, as Friedman mentions, it depends on Larkin wanting to come to Minnesota and Yzerman accepting a trade. It would make sense for Larkin, considering they are going to be a Stanley Cup contender next year and he'd reunite with Hughes, whom he has a close friendship with Hughes. As for Yzerman, he should get some solid young forwards from the Wild as the headliners of a deal, and potentially draft capital. Guerin has shown he is willing to give up lucrative draft picks if it gave the Wild a chance to win a Stanley Cup.
Based on Friedman's comments, Wild fans should feel confident about the team's chances of acquiring Larkin.
