Red Wings Trade Rumors: Update on Dylan Larkin’s Trade Request

It’s been two weeks since former Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin decided enough was enough and stepped away from the only organization he’s ever known. Since then, the Red Wings have registered a 2-5-0 record, averaging just 2.57 goals per game – and only 1.25 in their last four contests.

The calculus hasn’t changed, though. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has made it clear that the Red Wings will not settle with regard to a Larkin trade.

“Ideally, we get something that works for both sides, right?” Horcoff told NHL.com’s Nick Cotsonika at the recent GM meetings in Toronto. “But it has to be something that helps this team.”

Something that helps the Red Wings now and down the road.

Current State of Larkin-Red Wings Trade Saga

After it was announced that Larkin would be suspended without pay for failure to report on Oct. 29, it was surmised that his 10-team trade list could expand once again to facilitate a deal. While that would undoubtedly speed things up, no teams have been added yet.

NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman—who expected Larkin’s trade list to be updated—was surprised to find out that the player and his representatives wouldn’t make any adjustments.

Related, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that Larkin and agent Pat Brisson believe that fair offers have been presented to the Red Wings, thus why the trade list has not been expanded further.

Beyond these reports, there has been plenty of speculation on potential trade partners, compensation, and timelines. The key word there is speculation.

The fact of the matter is that the Red Wings have no interest in caving to less-than-stellar trade offers at this time. There’s no rush to move Larkin, either. He’s away from the team and the players have made it clear that they’re moving on.

Horcoff, for his part, is doing an admirable job navigating a complex situation as a first-time GM. His focus continues to be on getting this right, rather than taking action for action’s sake. 

He could have easily accepted Bill Guerin’s best offer from the Minnesota Wild just to get the monkey off his back and walked away with an underwhelming package consisting of Danila Yurov, Charlie Stramel, and/or draft picks. 

Instead, Horcoff is dictating the pace of play and is holding out that the trade list will be expanded further. In the meantime, he has been working the phone lines, exploring potential solutions while keeping communication open with interested clubs.

Horcoff and assistant general manager Kris Draper have also done their due diligence on the scouting front, evaluating teams both on and off Larkin’s trade list to develop a more current and accurate assessment of potential trade assets. It’s a complicated situation, for sure, but it’s also a positive sign that Horcoff continues to operate with the organization’s best interests as his north star.

Final Word

With American Thanksgiving on the horizon as the unofficial contender/pretender checkpoint, the Red Wings are entering an important stretch of the season. Will this cause Horcoff to adjust his strategy? When it comes to Larkin’s trade request, I don’t think that will be the case.

Horcoff has yet to let the circumstances dictate Detroit’s negotiating position, and I don’t expect that to change. The organization needs a return that meaningfully improves its future, not simply a resolution to an uncomfortable situation. Until that materializes, patience and preparation remain the best course of action. Horcoff appears committed to both, and how he ultimately handles the Larkin saga could go a long way toward establishing the direction—and permanence—of his tenure in Detroit.