Three juggernauts bow out of Dylan Larkin trade sweepstakes

Speaking Saturday night, Elliotte Friedman said the Detroit Red Wings center could alter his 10-team trade list within the next 24 to 48 hours. When he got to the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, his assessment was blunt.

The shift stands out because Florida and Vegas were among the first three destinations tied to Larkin in June, alongside Minnesota. Both looked like natural fits at the time, yet neither has produced a finished deal in the months since.

Colorado entered the picture later, when Friedman revealed the list was longer than first believed. Cap space and available assets are the likely hurdles for clubs in those spots, which would make an acceptable package hard to build.

If those three come off, seven teams remain: Minnesota, Dallas, Washington, Carolina, Utah, Tampa Bay and New Jersey. The Wild have been among the most aggressive suitors, reportedly dangling a package built around a young center, a depth forward and multiple first-round picks.

The picture is also far from settled. Friedman also noted Larkin could add teams as well as remove them, so the field may grow before it shrinks. Chris Johnston has even suggested Larkin could ultimately land with a club that is not on the current list at all.

For Detroit, a shorter list could be a blessing, since it clears out suitors that no longer look realistic and lets interim GM Shawn Horcoff focus on the teams with the assets and cap flexibility to act.

A reshaped list could open entirely new doors. Either way, the next 48 hours could define where this saga goes, and Red Wings fans will be watching closely.

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