The Columbus Blue Jackets have missed the playoffs for six straight seasons, but made a run at returning this year. While the run came up short, the team looked to be moving in the right direction. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings missed the playoffs again, leading to Dylan Larkin being disgruntled. After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a tenth straight season, Larkin has requested a trade away from the Red Wings.
Larkin could be logically connected to the Blue Jackets for one reason: Zach Werenski. Larkin and Werenski are lifelong friends. They played against each other in the Midget Minor program in Detroit before joining up at Belle Tire. They would then come together at the University of Michigan and be roommates. Since then, they have played together on national teams. Now, the idea of them pairing up in Columbus is being shut down, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.
“That lack of postseason play in Detroit is said to be at the heart of Larkin’s frustration, the chief reason he’s taken such a bold step to rebuff Yzerman’s plan and ask to be traded as the captain of an Original Six franchise,” Portzline wrote. “Well, joining Columbus wouldn’t solve that chief issue.”
Larkin has reportedly provided a list of preferred destinations. That list includes the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights. The Wild finished third in their division, but also third in the Western Conference, making a run to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Colorado Avalanche. Meanwhile, the Panthers had been to the Stanley Cup Final three straight years, winning two Cups, before missing the playoffs this year. The Golden Knights are currently leading in the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Werenski even said this week that winning has not been a normal thing in Columbus.
“I haven’t had that much success in the playoffs here in the NHL, and I want that to change,” Werenski said this week on NHL Network. “I had so much fun on those (international) teams. It’s different with the long playoff run and all that, but winning anything is fun. I’ve been reminded of that these last 12 months. I want more of that.”
Larkin heading to Columbus could help bring more winning, but with just two more years left on the deal for Werenski, and the lack of recent success, it is highly unlikely he will be heading to Ohio this offseason.
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