Dylan Larkin's name continues to surface this offseason after the Detroit Red Wings captain requested to move out of Detroit. 

NHL insider David Pagnotta says any deal made with the Vegas Golden Knights could involve one specific player, that is, Pavel Dorofeyev.

David confirmed this when speaking on Morning Cuppa Hockey on June 18. He addressed the question directly. 

"If Detroit and Vegas are serious in their discussions involving Dylan Larkin, do the Wings insist on having Pavel Dorofeyev in there?" he said. "If you're Vegas... do you believe he's gonna be a consistent 30-35 goal scorer?"

Larkin is Detroit's captain and longtime center, so their general manager, Steve Yzerman, would obviously ask for an equal or a bigger return if he does end up moving him. 

Dorofeyev, too, is one of the most valuable players coming from Vegas. He just got off the regular season by making 37 goals and held a strong playoff form during the Golden Knights' trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

The fit makes sense on paper. Larkin has already listed Vegas among his preferred destinations, along with the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers, since requesting the trade. He's also close friends with Golden Knights star Jack Eichel, which has fueled speculation about a potential reunion.

But for Vegas, Dorofeyev is still a pending restricted free agent who's due for a huge raise. And there are other key players in the Golden Knights, including Rasmus Andersson, who need new contracts this summer. 

With Larkin's cap hit on top of the other issues would be difficult for Vegas if they don’t sort something out soon.

If Vegas thinks Dorofeyev couldn’t be a reliable 30-to-35-goal scorer over the long term, trading him for Larkin is the easier solution. 

There's no confirmation that the deal is really there. But Pagnotta's comments show us how complicated the negotiation is.

Dylan Larkin’s Consistency This Season

With all the trade speculations aside, Larkin is still one of the league's best centers. He finished the 2025-26 season by making 34 goals and scoring 67 points in 74 games. This marks his fifth straight season with at least 30 goals and 65 points.

Larkin has been a consistent top scorer for a while, and the last-minute pressures of the team, all while leading Detroit as the captain.

Even though his numbers aren’t big like the other top contenders in the league, his reliability and experience are part of the reason why he’s appealing to a team like Vegas. The Golden Knights already have plenty of elite talent, but a consistent center can add real value.

The only problem Vegas has to sort this offseason is whether Larkin's record of consistency is worth more than what Dorofeyev still has in front of him.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Koushik Biswas