Is Dylan Larkin Now on the Devils’ Radar After the Hellebuyck Blockbuster?

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The New Jersey Devils made a major splash Friday morning, and some are wondering if the ripple effects could reach Detroit. Now that Connor Hellebuyck is a member of the Devils, will Dylan Larkin suddenly prioritize New Jersey as a trade destination? Will they look to add him? Given his friendship with Hellebuyck and the sudden bump as an NHL competitor, the connection would make sense.

GM Sunny Mehta acquired goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, a prospect, and two picks. The deal signals that New Jersey wants to contend now. Some insiders believe it might also be the start of something more.

Speaking on The FAN Hockey Show, Elliotte Friedman suggested exactly that.

Does Larkin See What New Jersey is Doing?

He noted that Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has reportedly put the Devils on his preferred trade list, and he pointed to the ongoing Quinn Hughes situation as one to watch. Both know Hellebuyck well. For Larkin, it could change his priorities. One account joked that he just resubmitted his trade list. The lone team on it: the Devils.

Friedman felt Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff did well under the circumstances, though he noted the Jets didn’t land a first-round pick for the award-winning, gold medal-winning netminder. That raises the question of whether the return will catch Detroit interim GM Shawn Horcoff’s attention. Friedman said he’d “almost guarantee” the Minnesota Wild have already offered a good young player, a couple of roster players with decent salaries and perhaps a first-round pick for Larkin. If the Devils can match or beat that package, that could be step two of Mehta’s master plan.

Michael Russo of The Athletic said the Hellebuyck deal would “absolutely” get Horcoff’s attention. If Hellebuyck only fetched what he did (quantity, but arguably not quality), what is Larkin worth? Should the Red Wings make the trade while they can? Are they worried? Perhaps this is the time for the Devils to strike. If they give more than they offered for Hellebuyck, that has to be considered a win for Detroit.

Minnesota or New Jersey for Larkin?

Russo reports that the Wild will continue to pursue Larkin aggressively, but one has to wonder if the Devils just became a favorite in trade speculation. Some of the pieces that might have been moved in a trade with the Red Wings just got moved in the trade to Winnipeg. That said, one key piece is still available to dangle in a Larkin deal.

Keith Kavanaugh on Morning Cuppa Hockey said: “I have a feeling that if they were to make a move, it would probably have to be for a first-round pick, a pretty highly regarded prospect, and a young NHL roster player. You also have Mercer in like every trade rumor ever […] So, to me, it’s a player like that, right? A young roster player, probably a first-round pick, and then probably some sort of top-end prospect, like a Seamus Casey.”

The Devils moved a lot, including Mercer. Some of what they might have offered is gone. However, they kept a lot in the trade too. The Devils have plenty left that might appeal to Detroit. And for Larkin, New Jersey just got a lot better looking.

Next: Video: Connor Hellebuyck Traded to the New Jersey Devils