Larkin’s Trade List Growing: More Than Three Teams Now in Mix

According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has gone to Dylan Larkin‘s agent, Pat Brisson, and requested that the original list of three teams to which Larkin would accept a trade be expanded. Knowing that a trade is much more challenging to pull off with the options are limited, the Red Wings feel as though Larkin owes them that much if he’s requesting a move.

LeBrun writes, “Yzerman went back to Brisson and asked to expand their original list of three teams, and my sense is that Brisson was receptive to that to some degree. So I don’t think we’re just dealing with the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers anymore.”

As for who is now being added to that list, that much is unclear. There has, however, been some noise linking the Anaheim Ducks to the Larkin trade conversation. Mason McTavish would likely be part of any return.

LeBrun also notes that all kinds of teams have called Detroit to get a sense of what it would take to make the deal. That has given Brisson and Larkin more to think about. Among the teams kicking tires are the Dallas Stars. “They haven’t extended restricted free agent Jason Robertson yet, although those contract discussions continue. Food for thought if an extension doesn’t get done in due time.”

Could a Third Team Get Involved in the Larkin Trade?

There is also the potential for a third to get involved, one that would help one of the three teams on Larkin’s original list acquire the pieces they would need, ultimately flipping those pieces to Detroit in the deal. One example is Minnesota, who likely doesn’t have the assets that would motivate Yzerman to pull the trigger on a trade.

How much Larkin expands the list and which teams are added to it will be a storyline to watch. Elliotte Friedman says he’s heard different teams are also on Larkin’s approved list, even if not officially. Among them are the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars.

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