Insider names four teams that could shake up Dylan Larkin trade talks
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David Pagnotta says Montreal, Buffalo, Boston and St. Louis sit outside Dylan Larkin's list, and Detroit must decide if any beat Minnesota's offer.
Detroit's search for a Dylan Larkin trade now comes down to one question: can any team outside his approved list top what Minnesota is willing to pay?
Insider David Pagnotta raised it Tuesday on Morning Cuppa Hockey, and it's a fair one.
Pagnotta named Montreal, Buffalo and Boston as clubs outside the list, and said he believes St. Louis belongs there too.
Los Angeles showed interest as well, though he noted that was a while ago.
That matters because each extra bidder could push the price up.
Re Dylan Larkin non-list teams: "We all know about Montreal; Buffalo; Boston; St. Louis I believe; LA was a while ago; do they get more out of one of those...teams than they would out of Minnesota."
- David Pagnotta
- David Pagnotta
Why the Wild are the team to beat
Minnesota is one of 10 teams Larkin will accept, joining Vegas, Florida, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Colorado, Washington, Carolina, New Jersey and Utah.
TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that nobody has pushed harder than the Wild, with one offer reportedly including three first-round picks.
That's a massive price tag. Still, Detroit wants players who can help right away, and draft capital alone may not satisfy interim GM Shawn Horcoff.
Where the standoff stands
Larkin, 30, has a full no-trade clause and an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31.
The Red Wings stripped him of the captaincy before training camp, then suspended him without pay on Oct. 29 after he told them he would no longer play.
Horcoff has said he's in no rush and will wait for a return that helps the club overall, and he's acknowledged a trade would come easier if certain teams were on the list. So far, that list still sits at 10.
If Larkin does open the door, Boston and Montreal have been floated as the likeliest additions, per Pagnotta's earlier comments.
Until then, Minnesota keeps the inside track, and Detroit keeps waiting for someone to meet its price.
It's a standoff that could snap at any moment.
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