Dylan Larkin Expands Red Wings Trade List to 10 Teams

The Detroit Red Wings are struggling to resolve Dylan Larkin's trade request after the center expanded his list of acceptable destinations from three teams to 10. As reported by the Detroit Free Press on October 20, 2026, Larkin wants to join a competitive team, while Detroit is seeking an established player who can replace his production at center. Larkin's list includes the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The Montreal Canadiens are not among his preferred destinations, despite fan chants expressing interest in acquiring him during a recent visit by Detroit. The central obstacle is finding a return that meets Detroit's immediate needs. The Red Wings want a player capable of filling a top-line center role rather than relying solely on prospects and draft picks, according to reporting from the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News.

A multi-team transaction could provide another route to a deal. Detroit could potentially exchange prospects or multiple first-round picks for an established center, but no agreement meeting the team's reported expectations had emerged in the coverage published October 19-20.

Former general manager Steve Yzerman was removed from his position on July 15 following a review by team owner Chris Ilitch. The organizational transition slowed trade discussions until Shawn Horcoff was appointed interim general manager on September 15, according to the Detroit Free Press and Sportsnet. ESPN analyst John Buccigross predicted on October 16 that Detroit would complete a major trade within seven to 10 days.

Speaking on the Frankly Hockey podcast with Frank Seravalli, Buccigross identified Larkin as the player involved, although he provided no specific details about the potential transaction. The prediction remained unconfirmed in the subsequent reports.

Larkin initially requested a trade in June, shortly after the previous season ended. He reported to training camp despite the unresolved situation and an upper-body injury, making his season debut on October 6 with one goal and one assist in a victory, according to the Detroit Free Press. His production subsequently slowed. Sportsnet reported October 20 that Larkin had recorded one goal and three points in six games, while the Detroit News and Yahoo Sports described renewed criticism from Detroit fans during the team's October 17 home game.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli addressed the difficulties of keeping an unhappy player on a roster after his team traded former teammate Kirill Marchenko to the Toronto Maple Leafs before the season began. Speaking to reporters on October 20, Fantilli said the completed transaction had helped Columbus avoid a prolonged situation involving a player who wanted to leave. "Happy we got guys who want to be here," Fantilli told reporters in Columbus.

"It would have been a nightmare having a guy that didn’t want to be here all year. I’m glad we got that trade done when we did." Detroit's players have publicly supported Larkin's right to make a personal decision, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Defenseman Ben Chiarot expressed that position at the beginning of training camp, acknowledging that players have individual responsibilities to themselves and their families.

"I think every guy just tries to do what's right for himself and his family," Chiarot said. "Each individual guy has their own business that they've got to take care of."

The trade negotiations are unfolding alongside a separate contract dispute involving restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson. Horcoff has indicated that he does not intend to trade the 23-year-old defenseman, who plays a key role among Detroit's top four defenders, according to Yahoo Sports. Buccigross also predicted that Edvinsson would sign a contract before December 1, the deadline after which an unsigned player would be ineligible to play in the NHL that season. He estimated a seven-year agreement worth $10 million per season, but that figure was his projection rather than a confirmed offer or completed contract.