Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin's trade situation was brought up again on Monday, June 22. The Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos reported that the Dallas Stars are Larkin's preferred destination if any deal is completed. 

This news came weeks after many reports confirmed that Larkin had formally requested a trade from the only NHL organization he had ever played for until now.

"It appears Dylan Larkin's destination of choice is Dallas," wrote Kypreos.

This report adds another layer to this situation, with many insiders connecting the 29-year-old to several other teams as his destination.

Larkin, born in Michigan, was drafted by Detroit in the first round in 2014. He spent all 12 seasons of his NHL career playing only for the Red Wings. He is signed through 2030-31 with $8.7 million per year and holds a full no-trade clause. This gives him some kind of leverage over where he’d land next. 

Dallas is a perfect spot for Larkin as it’s an established Stanley Cup contender with elite talent in their roster. This could give Larkin and his play a good amount of value in the next playoffs. 

After helping Team USA capture gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the 29-year-old reportedly became even more determined to chase a championship, and Dallas checks almost every box.

But making this deal would be a complicated task. Dallas already has Wyatt Johnston, Matt Duchene, and Roope Hintz as their centers. This makes it difficult to work something out for both sides.

Hintz also holds a full no-movement clause, hindering any kind of easy trade. Building the package with Detroit’s assets would be another task without reducing the Stars' competitive core.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman gave more context on this when he appeared on the 32 Thoughts podcast. 

"I think they're going to trade him," he said. "I think [Steve] Yzerman looks at it like we have to move on, can't bring him back, have to move on." 

Despite the challenges involved, several teams have reportedly explored the possibility of acquiring Larkin.

The situation around Dylan Larkin's trade

General manager Steve Yzerman is faced with another difficulty. Detroit has spent years rebuilding its roster and now holds one of the strongest players in the league. Trading away the team's captain requires a return that weighs the same in both value and talent.

Both teams are great landing spots for veteran players, but many have already depleted their chances while chasing the championship. 

There are other teams interested in the deal. The Florida Panthers made an offer to Detroit, reportedly about their 2026 first-round pick, currently at ninth overall, along with other additional pieces. 

The Minnesota Wild has also been involved, including the prospect Danila Yurov and the future draft picks. Vegas and others have also been named in this, but each team have their own cap and roster issues.

However, there is no rush situation with Larkin as he, too, is one of the most valuable assets the Red Wings have.

During the 2017-18 season, 22-year-old Larkin led the Red Wings with 63 points (16 goals and 47 assists), making him the fifth-youngest player in team history to top the scoring charts, according to the Detroit Red Wings' official website.

Any return from the deal will need to include premium draft picks for the organization to even consider moving its captain. What do you think of Larkin's best-fit destination? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar