Dylan Larkin expands no-trade list as Red Wings explore options

Dylan Larkin appears to be giving the Detroit Red Wings more flexibility to move him, with his list of acceptable trade destinations reportedly growing. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman says the veteran forward is now willing to approve a deal to significantly more teams than initially believed, even with a full no-movement clause in his contract.

Friedman: Larkin open to more destinations

On the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Friedman said he has heard that Larkin’s list is larger than has been made public so far. He noted that Colorado and Washington are among the teams Larkin would consider, and added that he suspects Dallas and Tampa Bay are also on that list. Friedman estimated the total number of teams at around eight, while stressing he did not know the exact size of the list.

Earlier in the off-season, Larkin made a public trade request after the Red Wings missed the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year, an active NHL record. At that time, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported that Larkin would only approve a trade to the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights or Florida Panthers, suggesting his original list was far more restrictive.

Contract, no-movement clause and loss of the ‘C’

Larkin is under contract for five more seasons with a cap hit of $8.7 million in average annual value and holds a full no-movement clause. That protection means any trade requires his explicit approval, making the scope of his willing destinations a key factor in Detroit’s ability to find a deal.

The Michigan native, now 30, has spent 11 seasons with the Red Wings and has reached the playoffs only once, in his rookie year. As the team works through his trade request, Detroit announced before training camp that he would no longer serve as captain. Larkin had worn the “C” for six seasons and requested a trade from then-general manager Steve Yzerman after the club’s latest playoff miss.

Red Wings gain leverage as market shapes up

By indicating a willingness to accept a broader range of destinations, Larkin may be giving Detroit’s front office more room to negotiate with interested teams. The Red Wings must balance the player’s desire to move on with the need to secure a meaningful return for a long-time core piece. No trade has been completed yet, but a larger approved list could help accelerate discussions as the regular season approaches.