Ranking Dylan Larkin's best fits on his 4-team trade list
The Minnesota Wild rank as the best fit on Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin's four-team trade list, per Bleacher Report, ahead of the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars. Larkin controls the outcome through his no-trade clause, and GM Steve Yzerman wants NHL-ready value before moving his captain. Bleacher Report published its ranking on July 14 as one of the NHL's biggest offseason standoffs drags on without a deal.
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade earlier this summer after frustration with Detroit's playoff drought. According to MLive, he will waive his full no-trade clause for only four contenders: Minnesota, Florida, Vegas and Dallas. That short list shapes every conversation around the Detroit Red Wings and their next move.
Key Takeaways
- Bleacher Report ranks the Minnesota Wild first, with Florida second, Vegas third and Dallas fourth on Larkin's approved list.
- Larkin has five years left at an $8.7 million cap hit and a full no-trade clause that limits Detroit's leverage.
- Conflicting reports say the list may still be three teams, with Helene St. James reporting no Dallas addition while MLive's Ansar Khan says the Stars were added.
- Yahoo Sports notes a potential Jason Robertson blockbuster with Dallas, though Detroit reportedly wanted Wyatt Johnston instead.
- Yzerman has signaled he will not rush a bad deal, and Winging It In Motown warns the stalemate could last into training camp.
Why does Dylan Larkin control where the Detroit Red Wings can trade him?
Larkin's contract includes a full no-trade clause, meaning Steve Yzerman cannot send him anywhere without consent. Per MLive, the captain will approve a move to Minnesota, Florida, Vegas or Dallas only.
That power narrows Detroit's options dramatically. As Bleacher Report notes, even with five years and an $8.7 million average annual value remaining, Yzerman can explore deals only with teams Larkin accepts. Winging It In Motown adds that Yzerman told reporters he makes decisions in the Red Wings' best interest and made no guarantees the trade request would be granted.
Which team is the best fit on Larkin's four-team list?
Bleacher Report's Joe Yerdon puts the Wild at No. 1. Larkin would join Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, giving Minnesota a true top playmaking center to match Western Conference stars. The outlet also cites Wild GM Bill Guerin's Team USA connections with Larkin from the Olympics.
Florida ranks second as a win-now luxury add after acquiring Brady Tkachuk, though Bleacher Report says a complex package would be needed and the Panthers may be low on trade ammunition. Vegas sits third; the fit makes sense on paper, but cap space and asset questions make the mechanics difficult. Dallas ranks last because center depth already limits the logic, even if Larkin recently added the Stars per MLive.
Why is a deal still stalled despite four approved destinations?
Price tags, not destinations, are the bottleneck. Bleacher Report and Yahoo Sports report Detroit asked Dallas for Wyatt Johnston and was rebuffed, while the Stars countered with Jason Robertson. Yahoo Sports cites Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Robertson as a possible superstar return, but notes Detroit needs a long-term extension commitment.
Winging It In Motown reports Helene St. James said Larkin's camp had not expanded beyond three teams, conflicting with Khan's Dallas update. Either way, none of the approved clubs appear willing to meet Yzerman's price tag. Winging It In Motown suggests the standoff could drag into training camp unless a team meets the asking price. For full context, see Bleacher Report's full ranking.