Dylan Larkin gets bad news as four more teams on his trade list exit negotiations
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Dylan Larkin trade saga has hit another roadblock, and this one involves four of the league's strongest teams. According to insider David Pagnotta, Colorado, Vegas, Florida and Dallas are struggling to find a workable path to landing the Detroit Red Wings center.
Speaking on Off The Roster, Pagnotta described a market with very little traction.
Colorado, Vegas, Florida [and] Dallas can't make it happen, they haven't really broached the subject too significantly
That is a notable update given how often those clubs have been linked to Larkin since he asked out of Detroit on June 4.
Florida and Vegas were on his original three-team list, and Colorado and Dallas were added once he opened the door to more suitors.
Why the Market Has Stalled
Matching a contender's assets to Detroit's asking price has proven difficult. Earlier reports indicated the Red Wings opened talks with Dallas by requesting Wyatt Johnston, a nonstarter for Stars general manager Jim Nill. That kind of ask shows how steep the price tag could be.
Cap space adds another layer. Larkin has five years left on his contract, so any suitor must absorb that commitment while also sending back enough young talent to satisfy Detroit. Top teams rarely have both room and surplus assets to spare.
Detroit also faces no firm deadline here, unlike the contract situation surrounding Simon Edvinsson. That patience could allow the market to develop slowly, though it also keeps the uncertainty hanging over the club.
What Comes Next for Detroit
Pagnotta's comments suggest the Red Wings may need to look beyond the obvious contenders. Washington has reportedly engaged to some degree, and the Capitals remain on Larkin's expanded list.
Speculation about a creative deal tied to Nikita Kucherov's situation in Tampa has also surfaced, which could open another path.
For now, Larkin remains in limbo months after his request became public. If the four teams Pagnotta named truly cannot find common ground with Detroit, the Red Wings will have to get creative, and soon, to turn this standoff into a deal that works for everyone involved.
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