Florida Panthers Can Make Larkin Trade Work, But the Cost Will Be Too High – The Hockey Writers – Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers are sitting on their couches as they wait for both the NHL Draft and the free agency period to start. With a record of 40-38-4 and 84 points, the team failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2019. Next season, they look to win their third Stanley Cup in the last four seasons.

One big news piece that has dropped within the Atlantic Division sent shockwaves across the league. Detroit Red Wings forward and captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade. After he made said request, he submitted a three-team trade list. This includes the Minnesota Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Panthers. While it is possible to work Larkin into the fray, the team grabbing him would cost an arm and a leg in roster terms.

What Larkin Brings To the Table

Larkin was the 15th overall pick by his hometown team back in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Ever since that day, he’s grown to become arguably the face of Red Wings hockey. He’s cemented himself in the long history of the franchise. With 643 points (276 goals and 367 assists), he is tenth all-time in franchise history in points.

Additionally, his goal total also makes for the top 10 all-time in goals scored. He joins greats such as Gordie Howe, Henrik Zetterberg, and his current general manager (GM), Steve Yzerman, on that list. He is the ninth player in Red Wings history to have four straight 30-goal seasons. He is the fifth-youngest Red Wing ever to lead the team in scoring with 63 points (16 goals and 47 assists) in the 2017-18 regular season.

Last season, he helped Team USA take home the gold medal for the first time since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” at the past Winter Olympic Games back in November. Larkin has an impressive resume with ten years in the NHL.

How Could It Work on the Roster?

Larkin’s natural position is center, and Florida is arguably one of the deepest teams in the league when it comes to the center position. This includes guys like Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, and Anton Lundell. So what would be the solution?

One idea is to move him to the left wing since he shoots left. The only other issue is to figure out where to put him without compromising chemistry. Given his talent, putting him on the top line with Barkov and Sam Reinhart could be lethal. That way, a proven line such as Carter Verhaeghe, Bennett, and Matthew Tkachuk can flourish and give the team a line 1A and 1B.

Furthermore, he can reunite with his Team USA teammate, Tkachuk, and be put on a potential power-play unit. There would be a ton of good line combinations and matches for head coach Paul Maurice to work with if he were to come to Broward County.

Sounds Great on Paper, But It’s Going To Cost Way Too Much

If this were another version of the EA Sports NHL video game series, an armchair GM could make this happen over a few late-round draft picks. But given the type of player he is and what Yzerman could want, it’s going to prevent him from coming to town.

More than likely, Yzerman is going to ask Panthers GM Bill Zito for the ninth overall pick. Granted, Zito has been willing to part ways with first-round selections before, but the Red Wings also need a center to replace the missing piece. In return, he could ask for a guy like Lundell, Evan Rodrigues, or a prospect like Sandis Vilmanis, among others. That could make Zito hang up the phone or send it to voicemail almost immediately.

Verdict: Don’t Count on It

While the idea of having a top six consisting of Larkin, Barkov, Reinhart, Verhaeghe, Tkachuk, and Bennett sounds like a match made in heaven, bringing him in would be more of a luxury.

The team currently needs help between the pipes as they could be losing both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov. Also, they could use a player on the third defensive pairing, considering it was a revolving door last season. Expect Zito to address those gaps in the upcoming draft and free agency period rather than pursue Larkin.