Detroit Red Wings fans were stunned when star Dylan Larkin announced he would like to leave the team. Larkin has spent many years in Detroit, but the team hasn’t been able to win with great success. According to a new report, one team in particular is seen as an ideal trading partner for the Red Wings.
“Looking around at remaining teams, the Utah Mammoth likely now stand as the ideal trade partner from the Red Wings’ perspective, owing to their deep stable of top prospects. But it’s unclear if the Mammoth are amenable to Larkin,” Max Bultman wrote for The Athletic.
Larkin provides offense. He posted 34 goals during the 2025-26 season. He added 33 assists while playing in 74 games for Detroit.
In his long NHL career, Larkin has appeared in 808 career regular season games. He has 643 points, and all of them have come while skating for the Red Wings.
“Of course, there is some logic from the Red Wings’ side in holding firm until they get their desired return. Larkin is one of their most important players. Detroit may be unlikely to get an equivalent-level player (particularly a center) back for him, but whether it’s younger players, futures, or some combination of the two, the Larkin trade is of the utmost importance to any path forward the Red Wings take. They can’t afford to settle for a mediocre return just to resolve it,” Bultman added.
Utah has had more success in recent years than Detroit. The Mammoth made the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season, before bowing in a series to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Red Wings missed the Stanley Cup playoffs again this past season. Detroit hasn’t made the postseason since 2016.
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