Dylan Larkin requests trade out of Detroit and how to fix the Red Wings

This is shocking because he did put his heart and soul into the Red Wings. And personally I believe him to be one of the most under-appreciated players in the NHL. I would love to grab him if I was an NHL General Manager, but he needs to play for the right team. The other thing too is he carries a no-trade clause which means he can pick where he gets traded. But he is someone all teams should want. 

So, I do think Larkin can be a number one centre when needed, but he needs to be a number-two centre on a competitive team because when the pressure isn't entirely on him he produces better. I mean he should be behind a franchise player such as Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, and when a team goes on the power-play he can be on the first power-play and the second penalty-kill. I think putting all the responsibility on him isn't entirely fair because Detroit being a bad team isn't his fault because he was their best player after Pavel Datsyuk left the team -- the player keeping them in the playoffs. But he can step up when players need someone to, he is that guy!

But the big question is where would he be a good fit?

I like Edmonton because behind McDavid he takes weight off his shoulders which makes for smooth sailing. But doubt Larkin waives there.

But what's team would Larkin consider? Not just consider, but make sense?

Dallas Stars - The assets are there, the cap space could be made, and he has a linemates already there. Dylan Larkin on the Dallas Stars makes too much sense.

Utah Mammoth - Utah is going to want to improve every single way. I think they got the perfect trading assets. Healthy for their top-six. 

Vegas Golden Knights - They're known to somehow acquire every star in the league. Now Larkin can simply just waive to them only, similar to Marchand with Florida, so that is why it's very much possible. But I think this makes their top-six solid as a rock and not just brings them back to the finals but also a presidents trophy. Larkin behind Eichel also likely paired with Marner on both lines is something that'd work well. 

San Jose Sharks - This would be my personal pick because behind Celebrini bringing veteran leadership and if he plays with Michael Misa I think he helps him towards the goal of being a star player. Also I think this helps San Jose get into the playoffs while being competitive again. Not just that there's cap room for Larkin. What I could see San Jose doing to acquire him is trading down in the draft and say they get a pick between 6-12, they trade that top pick for Dylan Larkin. 

If this is true, the Red Wings are headed to a one-way ticket to last place next season. Kind of sad because I'd personally be the kind of player to try and spend a career with one team. I think it'd be good for Detroit to acquire assets and focus on a rebuild. I think what's right is they have a great coach in Todd McLellan, and a great pool of prospects. 

But to fix the Red Wings this is all you need to do.

1. Full rebuild - Keep the current prospects like Cossa, and players such as Lucas Raymond. Trade as many players they possibly can while trying not to keep the team older. 

2. Franchise player - They need to draft a young superstar forward that makes players wanna play for the Red Wings. I'm talking a player to build around, one that will get their number retired by the Detroit Red Wings because I think after they draft this player they're back to the glory days and keeping the rich history going. I'm talking the one non-hockey fans will hear of, for that it's a good sign and a potential sell. 

3. Have a strategy going into each season - If I'm a general manager first thing I'll make sure of is that there's never a rebuild again, or if I am rebuilding it's while my team is competing and worst case-scenario if a team needs to trade a good player you can just get assets for it. But as for Detroit it'd be great for them to make sure the game plan isn't just to win a Stanley Cup, but how you're gonna get there because if you don't have a strategy you got to think you won't win one this year but you could win two the next or not win one for five years but you're gonna be in the conference finals every single year which brings hope for fans. What I find predictable is how bad the Red Wings will be if they don't do this, but if you ask me they could have this all fixed by the 2028-29 season, but I personally do believe they reach glory someday which would be as late as 2038-39. If I see something too predictable that's not a good thing. I personally thought the Red Wings were going to make the playoffs next year.

There's more they need to do, but I'm going to leave it here. I see every single error! But if one wants to know what a team done right looks like check out the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens of the 2025-26 season. They did what's right!