Dylan Larkin remains one of the biggest names on the NHL trade market after requesting a trade from the Detroit Red Wings following the 2025-26 season.
The situation has changed significantly since Larkin’s request became public. The 30-year-old center is no longer Detroit’s captain, and the Red Wings began the 2026-27 season without a captain. Larkin also missed Detroit’s first two games of the season because of an upper-body injury.
Larkin has spent his entire 11-season NHL career in Detroit, but he has not reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs since his rookie season. The Red Wings have now missed the playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons, giving Larkin plenty of reason to consider a new opportunity.
Detroit also has limited options because Larkin has a no-trade clause and has provided the Red Wings with a short list of teams he would consider joining. He has five years remaining on his eight-year, $69.9 million contract.
With that in mind, these are three teams that make the most sense as potential landing spots.
Potential Dylan Larkin Trade Destinations
1. Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild remain one of the most obvious landing spots for Larkin.
Minnesota already pursued Larkin during the offseason but was unable to reach a deal with Detroit. That makes the Wild an especially interesting team to watch if trade talks heat up again.
The fit is easy to see. Larkin would give Minnesota another established center and add more speed and experience to a lineup built around stars such as Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy.
The Wild are also trying to take the next step in the Western Conference. Adding a proven two-way center could give them another piece capable of helping in the playoffs.
Minnesota already showed interest once. If Detroit becomes more willing to move Larkin during the season, the Wild could be one of the first teams to call.
2. Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings could also make sense if Larkin becomes available.
Los Angeles has been trying to build a roster capable of making a deep playoff run, and adding an experienced top-six center like Larkin would give the team another major offensive weapon.
Larkin’s speed could be particularly valuable for the Kings. He can carry the puck through the neutral zone, create chances off the rush, and provide another experienced player for important playoff minutes.
The Kings also have a roster built to compete now rather than several years down the road. If they believe Larkin could be the missing piece, they could make a serious push for him.
The biggest question would be the trade package. Detroit has little reason to move Larkin for anything less than a significant return, especially with five years left on his contract.
3. Florida Panthers
In the offseason, Larkin requested to be traded to three teams, and these three are the Florida Panthers, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Wild. The Panthers’ top center, Aleksander Barkov, sits on the injury list right now, and the Panthers do not know when he will come back. So adding a center like Larkin would be perfect.
But here is the catch: Larkin’s cap hit is $ 8.7 million, and the Panthers are sitting right on the salary cap ceiling, so for the Panthers to make the trade, they would have to get rid of players. The question is if Barkov’s injury is season ending, but it is not expected to be since he was placed on long-term injured reserve, which could mean he could definitely return, and that means Larkin would just be a temporary fix at center.
A trade for Larkin would cost the Panthers a lot, like a prospect or star players, or even a pick. The Panthers definitely have what Detroit would like. But do the Panthers want to give up so much? Now don’t take out the Kings and the Wild, because if Florida’s cap space does not work, those teams could definitely be in the mix.
Main Image: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
