Following the frustration Dylan Larkin showed at his end-of-season press conference with the Detroit Red Wings management, he becomes a possible target for the Vancouver Canucks to trade for, with the hopes of adding a true top-six centreman.
The Red Wings captain has heard his name involved in trade rumours in the past, before he signed his long-term deal in Detroit. Now, showing his frustration with management for not adding to the roster at the NHL Trade Deadline, he could be on the lookout for a team on the come-up, and in the playoff hunt.
The Player
Larkin is an elite speedster who has consistently produced at a high level, registering 69 or more points in each of the past four seasons. Not only has Larkin been right around the 70-point mark the past few seasons, but he’s also scored 30 or more goals over that time.
His speed is certainly the first thing that jumps off the page, which would be a much-needed addition to the Canucks top-six. Larkin’s goal scoring is underrated, and he’s an excellent playmaker at the NHL level.
Though he hasn’t played a single playoff game since his rookie year in the 2016 playoffs, he proved this year at the Four Nations Faceoff that he is capable of rising to the occasion in big games against the league’s best players, where he led the tournament in points with seven in five games.
His contract carries an $8.7 million AAV over the next six seasons. This is already a very fair deal for the kind of player he is, and with the salary cap set to go up substantially over the next few years, it could age very well.
The Fit
With the Red Wings, Larkin is currently listed as their first-line centre with Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren on his wings. He centres their top power play unit, which clicked at a 27% clip this season, ranking fourth-best in the NHL.
Larkin is a player who can compete with Elias Pettersson for the Canucks top line centre spot, however, assuming Pettersson takes some steps this offseason to get back to his game, we can pencil in Larkin as the team’s second line centreman.
On the Canucks second line, Larkin would be a great fit with Nils Höglander on one of his wings. The pair would play with a ton of speed and would be a tough matchup for any opposing defence off the rush. Alongside the two, Brock Boeser would be a great fit, although it seems pretty unlikely at this point that he returns to the Canucks. Another good fit on the right wing might be Kiefer Sherwood. Sherwood is not an ideal second-line winger, but his speed and shot would make him a solid fit on a line with Larkin and Höglander.
Larkin would also immediately join the Canucks top power play unit, either on the left flank or in the bumper spot if the team decides to bring that back. His speed and playmaking ability would be an asset to have on the left flank. However, his scoring ability would also make him a threat in the bumper spot.
His position on the power play might depend on how Canucks management decides to fill the rest of the roster this offseason, but no matter who they end up bringing in, Larkin would be on that top unit.
What might it cost?
Trading for Larkin might be a challenge as the player has a no-trade clause. However his connection to Quinn Hughes, both being University of Michigan alums, and former Red Wing Filip Hronek could entice him to waive his clause if the Canucks called the Red Wings about a trade.
Getting the Red Wings to accept an offer is going to be the real challenge here. Larkin is the team’s captain, a Michigan native and has been the face of their franchise for almost 10 years. That being said, Red Wings General Manager Steven Yzerman has never been afraid of making big moves.
This deal starts with either defenceman Elias Pettersson or Tom Willander; The Red Wings might be more intrigued by Pettersson because they have Mo Seider and Axel Sandin-Pelikka on the right side in their organization and are lacking in young NHL defencemen on the left.
Along with Pettersson (D), the Canucks would have to add a pair of picks, including their 2025 first round pick, which will likely be this year’s 15th overall pick and a young centreman like Aatu Räty.
If the Canucks are serious about bringing in an established top-six centreman, then Dylan Larkin could be the best option out there to create an elite one-twop punch with Elias Pettersson.
What do you think Canucks fans? Is Dylan Larkin worth the high price? Or should Canucks management look elsewhere? Let us know in the comments below!
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