More trade speculation about Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, the latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson, a notable Red Wings prospect could be heading to the Mammoth, and an update on the Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CAN THE WILD AFFORD TO ACQUIRE DYLAN LARKIN?
THE ATHLETIC: The Minnesota Wild are among the three teams on Dylan Larkin’s list of preferred trade destinations. However, Joe Smith and Michael Russo believe the Wild’s pursuit of the Detroit Red Wings center could be hampered by their limited trade capital.
The Wild gave up three significant assets (Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and their 2026 first-round pick) to the Vancouver Canucks in December to acquire superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes. They still have some solid prospects left, such as forwards Danila Yurov and Charlie Stramel. However, it’s debatable that they’re enough to land Larkin.
Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt could be considered their “top prospect”, but he’s not going anywhere until starter Filip Gustavsson has recovered from offseason hip surgery. Even then, his solid performance during this postseason could make the Wild reluctant to part with him. It’s also questionable that the Red Wings would want Wallstedt because of the young goalies in their system.
The Wild don’t want to move center Joel Eriksson Ek or defenseman Jonas Brodin. Doing so would be a step backward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith and Russo believe the Wild’s best shot at landing Larkin is if the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights (the other two teams on his trade list) either aren’t interested or cannot match an offer from the Wild. They also suggested the possibility of the Wild getting a third team involved that would part with an asset that would entice the Red Wings.
THE LATEST ON CANUCKS CENTER ELIAS PETTERSSON
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma wondered what the future holds for Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. The Canucks have new management and a new head coach, and they face a daunting challenge as they attempt to rebuild the roster.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
Kuzma suggested Pettersson, 27, could be a useful trade chip that could fetch the type of return that helps the Canucks going forward.
The Detroit Red Wings will be in the market for a replacement for Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade last week. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings need a top-six center to replace the retired Anze Kopitar.
Detroit has over $32 million in cap space, and moving out Larkin’s $8.7 million average annual value opens possibilities to take on Pettersson’s $11.6 million AAV. Despite the decline in his production, some believe he can regain his form.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There aren’t many options available for the Red Wings and Kings to fill their needs at center. The Canucks would undoubtedly listen if either club came calling for Pettersson. However, his cap hit and offensive inconsistency could make both teams wait and see if better players become available.
SEBASTIAN COSSA TO THE MAMMOTH?
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff referenced a report by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, who tweeted that he was told that Red Wings prospect goaltender Sebastian Cossa could be on the move, with the Utah Mammoth believed to be among the suitors.
Duff also noted a “false flag” rumor claiming the Edmonton Oilers are also interested in Cossa. However, agent Gerry Johansson, who represents Cossa, recently appeared on “Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer”, saying that his client is hungry for more opportunities in the NHL.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Promising goalies Trey Augustine and Michal Postava have raised questions about Cossa’s future, sparking trade speculation in recent weeks. A first-round pick in 2021, the 23-year-old netminder has only seen one game of NHL action, and he’s hungry for more.
Dylan Larkin’s trade request leaves the Red Wings facing the difficult challenge of finding a suitable replacement. Perhaps Cossa could be packaged with Larkin as part of a larger deal to land a significant return.
Another option could be using Cossa as trade bait to bring in a player who can replace Larkin, or to bring in a return that could be flipped to another team to address that issue.
Barrett Hayton of the Mammoth could be someone the Wings could attempt to acquire. Ryan O’Hara of The Hockey News recently suggested the 26-year-old center could be their best trade chip, with promising centers such as Tij Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers in their system.
Hayton wouldn’t replace Larkin’s skill or his role as the Wings’ first-line center, but he could fill the second-line center role while management shops for Larkin’s replacement. He could also be used as trade bait by the Red Wings in a bigger deal.
THE LATEST ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators’ priority positions to be addressed this summer include a top-six forward, a right-shot, top-four defenseman, and a backup goaltender.
According to Garrioch, forward Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks could be a realistic target. He claimed the Senators are interested in pending unrestricted free agent goalies Connor Ingram of the Edmonton Oilers and Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins to fill that backup role.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the limited number of available centers, the Senators could face competition from several other clubs who could be interested in McTavish, assuming he’s available.
Senators general manager Steve Staios knows him from their days with the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, and his father, Dale McTavish, is a Senators scout. However, it remains to be seen if those connections would carry any weight in any attempt on the Senators’ part to acquire McTavish.
With the St. Louis Blues in a full rebuild, Garrioch wondered if Colton Parayko would reconsider waiving his no-movement clause. The 33-year-old right-shot defenseman rejected a trade that would’ve sent him to the Buffalo Sabres at the March trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Parayko didn’t want to join a rising club like the Sabres, what’s the selling point that convinces him to accept a trade to the Senators? I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I don’t see what the Senators could do to sell him on joining their roster.