ESPN analyst predicts Red Wings will trade captain Dylan Larkin within days
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The gist
ESPN analyst John Buccigross said a Dylan Larkin trade could come within seven to 10 days.
No deal is announced, and Detroit wants a high price.
Background
Dylan Larkin is a 30-year-old Michigan native and center for the Detroit Red Wings who requested a trade after the team missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a 10th straight season. Insiders link the request to a tense relationship with then-general manager Steve Yzerman, a Red Wings franchise icon who stepped down in July 2026; Shawn Horcoff took over as interim GM. Larkin, who signed an eight-year, $69.9 million deal in 2023 with a full no-trade clause, lost the captaincy before training camp. The story resurfaced when Buccigross, an ESPN hockey analyst, said on a podcast that a trade was close.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2023Larkin signed an eight-year, $69.9 million contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a full no-trade clause.
- Jun 4, 2026Larkin's trade request became public.
- June 2026Then-GM Steve Yzerman confirmed Larkin's agent had given the organization a list of teams his client would consider waiving his no-trade clause for.
- Sep 15, 2026Detroit named Shawn Horcoff interim GM after parting ways with longtime GM Steve Yzerman.
- September 2026Larkin accepted the loss of the captaincy before training camp.
- Oct 6, 2026In his season debut, Larkin had a goal and an assist and was named No. 1 star in a 5-3 win over Ottawa, returning to boos from the home crowd.
- Oct 16, 2026The Frankly Hockey podcast episode with John Buccigross and Frank Seravalli was published.
- Oct 17, 2026Larkin logged 24:39 of ice time and won 17 of 17 faceoffs in a 4-3 shootout win over San Jose, moving Detroit to 3-3-2. NHL Trade Rumors reported Detroit was closing in on a trade.
- Oct 19, 2026Buccigross's comments were reported by multiple outlets; no trade had been announced.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- ESPN's John Buccigross said he thinks a trade will happen in Detroit within seven to 10 days, pointing to lineup changes, and confirmed he meant Larkin rather than Simon Edvinsson.
- Official
- Interim GM Shawn Horcoff said on the first day of camp the club would take the situation day by day.
- Reporters
- TSN's Darren Dreger reported Detroit wants three or four pieces in return: two A-quality prospects, an active top-nine NHL forward and a first-round draft pick.
- Speculation
- The Athletic's Michael Russo said on Daily Faceoff's live show that if Minnesota lands Larkin, Quinn Hughes would sign 'like, the next day,' framing it as his own conjecture rather than reporting.
Still unverified
No official confirmation from the Red Wings or the NHL that a trade has been completed. The list of teams Larkin would waive his no-trade clause for is rumored, with reported clubs including Vegas, Minnesota, Florida, Colorado, Washington, Tampa Bay and Dallas; Minnesota and Montreal were reported as particularly aggressive pursuers.