Red Wings Hold Leverage in Dylan Larkin Trade Talks

The Hockey Writers argues that the Detroit Red Wings hold significant leverage in potential trade negotiations with the Minnesota Wild for center Dylan Larkin. Although ESPN's John Buccigross suggested a trade could happen within seven to ten days, the outlet contends Detroit faces no urgent deadline. Larkin has five seasons remaining on his eight-year, $69.6 million contract carrying an $8.7 million annual cap hit.

According to the article, Minnesota's urgency stems from wanting to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent Quinn Hughes, who is close friends with Larkin. Because the Wild possess only about $1.1 million in cap space, the writer notes Minnesota must send established NHL salary back to Detroit, giving interim general manager Shawn Horcoff the leverage to demand a high-quality return rather than accepting only future draft picks.