NHL Notebook: Dylan Larkin requests trade from Red Wings, Oilers open to moving Darnell Nurse
The Stanley Cup Final is in full swing, and hours before Game 2 on Tuesday, the NHL was hit with a dose of off-ice drama.
Larkin appeared in 74 games this past season for the Red Wings, scoring 34 goals, and adding 33 assists, for 67 points. He’s scored five straight 30-goal seasons, and is very much still in the prime of his career. This news certainly comes as a shock for some, but reminder yourselves that two seasons ago, Larkin called out Steve Yzerman for not adding anyone ahead of the trade deadline, and it feels like that was the beginning of the end.
Speculation has started to brew over potential trade destinations and it’s worth noting Larkin and Jack Eichel are the best of friends, so Vegas could be involved once the offseason kicks off at the NHL Draft in Buffalo in a couple of weeks. The Minnesota Wild are looking for a top-line center and could be somewhere Larkin feels he could win. They are also loaded with Team USA Olympic ties, which could sway Larkin to wait to join the contenders.
Other teams to keep an eye on include the Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken, and San Jose Sharks, who are all open to moving their first-round picks. The Anaheim Ducks have Mason McTavish on the trade market, so perhaps joining the up-and-coming Ducks could interest Larkin. Yzerman’s hands are tied here, so he’ll have to get creative in order to land a significant return considering he has zero leverage in trade talks, so don’t be surprised to see a third team involved.
Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers heading for a divorce
Nurse, 31, is signed for $9.2 million AAV for four more years. Nurse owns a full no-movement clause, and Spector reports the Oilers and Nurse haven’t had the awkward conversation yet to discuss potential fits outside of Edmonton. Nurse is considered to be overpaid based on the fact he doesn’t play power play minutes, and only contributed 24 points last season.
Spector continues to state that the Oilers would prefer to move Nurse before the start of the season and don’t want things to drag on. Given how fragile the organization is, and with all the pressure on Bowman to ensure Connor McDavid is happy, fumbling the Nurse trade could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
NHL Notebook Quick Hits
- Joe Sakic takes over as GM in Colorado after Chris MacFarland joined the Nashville Predators, and all signs are pointing to Jared Bednar returning as head coach.
- New York Islanders have informed other teams Mat Barzal is in play on the trade market.
- Seattle Kraken could package Shane Wright with the seventh overall pick to land a top-line forward this summer.
- Boston Bruins are another team who could appeal to Larkin.
- Islanders captain Anders Lee is set to test free agency.
- Jonathan Toews is expected to official announce his retirement in the coming days.
- Brendan Gallagher and his agent are working on a trade, and it sounds like the Vancouver Canucks are at the top of the list.
- Look for the Montreal Canadiens to also trade Sam Montembeault this offseason
- Patrik Laine confirmed he was healthy to play in January, and won’t be returning to Montreal.
- John Carlson hits the free-agent market in a few weeks and the Philadelphia Flyers are a team to watch out for.
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