The Detroit Red Wings are working through the Dylan Larkin trade saga as we speak. Larkin, the captain of the Red Wings, has requested a trade away from his hometown team. There is certainly no shortage of interested teams. However, it appears as if Larkin’s interest is quite limited.
Larkin initially submitted a list of three teams he would approve a trade to. Those teams are the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Florida Panthers. A recent report from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, though, indicated the Red Wings captain may be willing to be flexible.
“(General manager Steve Yzerman) went back to (Larkin’s agent Pat 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,” LeBrun reported on Wednesday evening.
This entire saga has no true winners. The Red Wings have a cloud over their head, with the hometown captain wanting out. This is also not the first time Steve Yzerman has frayed a relationship with a player to the point of a trade. And Larkin’s initially narrow trade list certainly did not help matters.
None of that truly matters at this point, however. The most important thing is finding a resolution to Larkin’s trade request. If the Red Wings captain is open to expanding his trade list, here are three teams that he must consider joining.
Dylan Larkin should consider joining Sharks, Macklin Celebrini
The San Jose Sharks are the only team on this list not to make the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But they also aren’t too far off from making the postseason, either. San Jose already has an established superstar in Macklin Celebrini. Now, San Jose has to build around him.
Larkin would serve as the second-line center in San Jose. He could act as a high-energy two-way pivot who can contribute in all areas of the game. He could help provide the scoring depth the Sharks desperately need behind Celebrini. Last year, the young Sharks phenom set a franchise record with 115 points. His next closest teammate only had 59 points.
The Sharks have a young core that has already shown a lot of promise. In a weak Western Conference, San Jose could make noise sooner rather than later. Larkin could enjoy a lot of playoff hockey if he were open to joining the Sharks.
Ducks are a promising, up-and-coming team
The Anaheim Ducks broke their postseason drought in 2026 and even won a series. Their young core of Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, and Jackson Lacombe made a ton of noise in the Pacific Division. The rebuild is over, and the chase for a Stanley Cup is beginning.
Larkin would again work as a second-line center for the Ducks. And this is certainly an area they need a boost in. Mason McTavish had a rough season for Anaheim after signing a contract extension. His future in Orange County is even up in the air after being scratched in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Ducks aren’t immediate Stanley Cup contenders. However, the pieces are certainly in place. Larkin wouldn’t need to worry about being the No. 1 option on this Anaheim squad, and the likelihood of him making the playoffs is high with a team like this. It feels like a logical fit for the current Red Wings captain.
Stars give Red Wings’ captain an immediate chance to win
If the only thing on Larkin’s mind is winning immediately, then the Dallas Stars are right there among the most logical fits. Dallas made three straight Western Conference Finals prior to the 2026 postseason. Though they were first-round exits this year, they have the pieces to continue contending moving forward.
The Stars are an interesting team in this discussion for a few reasons. The main issue with Dallas’s viability is its cap situation. Dallas traded Mason Marchment last summer to alleviate their salary cap crunch. This year, they have to resign star winger Jason Robertson while only having about $10 million in available space.
How the Stars would fit Larkin into their cap structure remains to be seen. In any event, the pitch here is quite simple. If you are looking to win a Stanley Cup within the next few seasons, few teams provide a better chance than Dallas does.
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