Wild Reportedly Offering Big Return for Larkin, Why Red Wings Declined

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The Minnesota Wild remain firmly in the mix for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, but the two sides appear stuck on the type of return Detroit wants. Minnesota has put together an attractive offer, but the Red Wings aren’t biting. Why? What’s wrong with the trade the Wild want?

According to Pierre LeBrun, the Wild “remain very interested” and have made multiple offers, including packages built around two or three first-round picks. The sticking point, per LeBrun, is that those offers lean toward futures, while Detroit is believed to be seeking players who can help in the NHL right away. “It’s not nothing,” LeBrun said of the proposals.

The report drew pushback from The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, who questioned why the Red Wings would say no. “According to Pierre, one of the Wild’s offers for Larkin has included 2-3 first-round picks, and the Red Wings’ issue is they don’t want a futures package and desire immediate NHL talent. This logic across teams has never made any sense to me. You can flip those first-round picks for what you want! Take the best package from a total value standpoint.”

When others said Detroit shouldn’t have to do all the legwork to make the deal by flipping picks and finding players with the first-rounders, he added that the league’s smartest general managers routinely turn picks into roster help, calling it “creativity.”

Should the Red Wings Flip The Picks?

Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff could canvass other teams to gauge the market for Minnesota’s picks before responding, as was done in a previous trade. That would take some time and with Detroit suspending Larkin without pay, there’s no reason for them to rush. The Red Wings could put a pretty good return together if they can find a team that wants to move players for futures.

Others argued Detroit has no obligation to do Minnesota’s legwork.

Flyers Willing to Get Involved?

Anthony Di Marco reports that the Philadelphia Flyers might be open to a three-team trade between the Red Wings and the Wild. Speaking with team sources, DFO was told that the Flyers would be willing to act as a third-party broker to help facilitate a trade. According to Flyers sources, they would be willing to absorb Trenin’s contract for the right price. Stramel is a player the Flyers have some interest in and could be the cost of doing business for them to take on the remaining term of Trenin’s contract. The Red Wings have the cap space to eat Trenin’s salary if they want to, as a Central Division executive told DFO, but the Flyers are willing to play a part in a deal if it’s necessary.

Asked whether three late first-rounders, likely in the 20-28 range, are worth it for Larkin, Wheeler said they carry significant value, particularly approaching the trade deadline. He pointed out that players who have fetched multiple firsts historically have almost all been stars or impact players, and said the right deal will materialize if Detroit is the only team holding that kind of asset.

For now, Detroit will keep looking for a trade they believe makes the most sense. It will be intriguing to see if any offer beats what the Wild have put on the table. LeBrun notes that no one else on Larkin’s list has come ready. Only the Montreal Canadiens, who aren’t on the list, have a package prepared.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Red Wings & Maple Leafs Failure