Detroit Red Wings reject perfect trade offer for Dylan Larkin

Elliotte Friedman said on Oilers NOW with Bob Stauffer on Nov. 10 that interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has a proposal from Minnesota that is believed to include forward Danila Yurov and three first-round picks. The report quickly drew a skeptical reaction:

Nothing in the reporting suggests the Red Wings have formally rejected anything. Friedman framed the package as something insiders believe exists, not a confirmed final offer, so the obstacle may be Larkin himself.

The 30-year-old center carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31 and a no-movement clause, so Detroit can only deal him to the 10 teams on his approved list.

According to Friedman, Larkin has not expanded that list, and several of those clubs cannot or will not put together a competitive package.

Then there is the type of return Horcoff wants. The interim GM has reportedly prioritized young centers and players who can help now, and Yurov, a 22-year-old selected 24th overall in 2022, is still finding his footing in the NHL. Picks and prospects are valuable, but they do not fill a hole in the lineup immediately.

The Wild badly want a top-line center, and they are reportedly hoping a Larkin deal helps secure Quinn Hughes long term.

For Detroit, the calculation is simple on paper and complicated in practice. Three firsts and a young forward is a rare haul for a 30-year-old, yet the Red Wings cannot move Larkin without his approval, and he has shown no sign of budging. Until that changes, the Wild's reported offer remains an intriguing headline instead of a finished trade.

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