Apr 13, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
While the Vegas Golden Knights and the Hurricanes are playing for the Stanley Cup, other teams have already started preparing for the new season. A new situation has emerged as Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has recently grabbed public attention.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Larkin has requested a trade. He has been an integral part of the Wings since the beginning of his career and is now looking for a switch, and Friedman said that the Minnesota Wild would be the best fit for him.
In a recent “32 Thoughts” podcast episode released on Friday, Friedman said the Wild might be the strongest candidate that would be looking forward to acquiring Larkin.
"I think the No. 1 team everybody's looking at is Minnesota. This has the Wild written all over it," Friedman said. "I don't think Dallas is impossible. I don't think Tampa is impossible. I don't know that he's going to come to Canada. But Minnesota is the one team everyone's talking about."
However, it is the Detroit Red Wings' general manager, Steve Yzerman, and Larkin who will ultimately decide the trade.
Friedman Shares Possible Reasons for Dylan Larkin’s Trade Speculation
Friedman has shared his take on the situation in his report on Sportsnet. He mentioned the most likely reason for Larkin's trade could be the team missing the playoffs.
"Detroit's inability to make the playoffs, and a somewhat frosty relationship between the captain and the team’s top hockey executive. This is also another sign of how the league is changing. Players are getting bolder with these requests — especially in the aftermath of Matthew Tkachuk’s and Quinn Hughes’ power moves into different situations." Friedman wrote.
Larkin joined the Wings in 2014 after being selected 15th overall in the draft. During this time, the team made the playoffs only once, in the 2015–16 season.
In the 2025–26 season, Larkin added 67 points in 74 games, scoring 34 goals and 33 assists, but the team still missed the playoffs.
Now it would be interesting to see where he could end up in the upcoming season. What do you think—which team would he be joining next season? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Ankita Yadav
Edited by
Ankita Yadav