Dylan Larkin shuts the door on another team after trade inquiry
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Dylan Larkin's trade list still leaves out the Flyers, and Philadelphia just found out the hard way after checking in on the Red Wings captain.
Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reported this week that the Flyers reached out about Larkin following his trade request, only to be told he is not on the approved list.
It's a blunt answer for a team that has been searching for a top center for years.
According to NHL Rumour Report, Larkin's preferences haven't changed.
He is reportedly still pointing toward the Panthers, the Wild and the Golden Knights as the only teams he would accept, and Philadelphia has never been part of that conversation.
Kevin Kurz: "The Flyers checked in on Dylan Larkin after his trade request became public, but were told they weren't on his list of acceptable destinations."
NHLR: "Larkin's list remains small: the Panthers, Wild and Golden Knights are the three teams he'd reportedly prefer to end up with."
NHLR: "Larkin's list remains small: the Panthers, Wild and Golden Knights are the three teams he'd reportedly prefer to end up with."
Larkin's list stays short
That's the same three team list that surfaced when this saga began, and nothing about it appears to be softening as camp approaches.
Larkin has a full no movement clause, which puts him in control of where his next contract gets played out.
Detroit can shop him all it wants, but without his sign off, a deal outside those three teams cannot happen.
That kind of leverage is rare for a player at the center of trade talks, and it is why Detroit's front office has struggled to move the needle months after the request first became public.
What it means for the Flyers
For Philadelphia, this is a tough pill given the holes still sitting in the middle of their lineup.
Danny Briere has been aggressive when chances present themselves, but Larkin apparently is not viewing the Flyers as a real option no matter what gets offered.
Unless something changes on Larkin's end, Detroit is left working with a short list, and the Flyers remain on the outside looking in.
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