The Dylan Larkin sweepstakes has taken a new turn.
The disgruntled Detroit Red Wings forward reportedly increased his trade list from four teams to 10, adding the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Utah Mammoth, and Washington Capitals.
When Larkin initially requested a trade in June, his preferred destinations apparently included the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. The Dallas Stars reportedly joined the list soon after.
With six new teams in the fold, we ranked all 10 clubs based on viability. Our rankings factored in trade bait, cap flexibility, and motivation, grading each category on a scale of one emoji to five. Of note, Larkin is signed through 2030-31 with an $8.7-million average annual value.
Trade bait: 🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰💰💰💰
Motivation: 😤😤😤😤
If the Larkin sweepstakes turn into a bidding war, no team can put together a better package than the Mammoth. Their farm system is one of the NHL's best, and they have several movable players from the active roster. Utah general manager Bill Armstrong has also made at least one sizeable splash in the trade market in each of the last three offseasons: Mikhail Sergachev in 2024, JJ Peterka in 2025, and Vincent Trocheck in 2026. While the Peterka addition didn't work out, don't be surprised if Armstrong stays aggressive. The Mammoth need at least one more piece to truly threaten the other heavyweights in the Central Division, and Larkin could be it.
Trade bait: 🎣🎣🎣🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰💰💰💰💰
Motivation: 😤😤😤
The Hurricanes are the only team on Larkin's list that could acquire his cap hit outright without sending any money the other way. Additionally, Carolina boasts four first-round picks over the next three years and a decent farm system. Unsigned restricted free-agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin could also factor into any Larkin trade, provided he'd be willing to sign with Detroit. If playing time is Nikishin's primary motivation for playing elsewhere, a spot on the Red Wings' top pairing is up for grabs with Simon Edvinsson holding out.
Trade bait: 🎣🎣🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰💰
Motivation: 😤😤😤😤😤
Washington's determination to win is at an all-time high in Alex Ovechkin's final campaign. Though the Capitals boast one of the NHL's deepest forward groups, the club has real questions about whether it can go all the way with Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois as its top centers. Signed through next season and without any trade protection, Strome is a likely candidate to head to Detroit in any deal for Larkin. And given that Strome's game isn't as well-rounded, the cost could be worth the upgrade. The Capitals own all of their draft picks and have a decent enough farm system to swing a deal.
Trade bait: 🎣🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰
Motivation: 😤😤😤😤😤
No team needs Larkin more than the Wild, who are a No. 1 center away from being a nearly flawless Stanley Cup contender. The main problem is that GM Bill Guerin spent most of Minnesota's premier trade assets to land Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks last season. If the Wild had enough to acquire Larkin, they probably would've done it by now. Perhaps the added competition in the Larkin sweepstakes will make Guerin that much more desperate.
Trade bait: 🎣🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰💰
Motivation: 😤😤😤
The Lightning are a sneaky contender to land Larkin if the Red Wings are willing to trade him within the Atlantic Division. The usually capped-out Bolts have over $3 million in cap space but would have to get creative to clear the remaining money. Notably, everyone on their roster who makes more than $1.5 million has a full no-movement clause, except Nikita Kucherov and J.J. Moser. Kucherov clearly isn't going anywhere, while Moser would be awfully tough to replace. If a deal can be done, a 1-2-3 center combination of Brayden Point, Larkin, and Anthony Cirelli would arguably be the league's best. GM Julien BriseBois is likely eager to make a splash following four straight first-round exits.
Trade bait: 🎣🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰
Motivation: 😤😤
New Jersey executed its big splash by landing Connor Hellebuyck on Friday, making another swing for Larkin unlikely. It can't be completely ruled out, though. The Devils still own four first-round picks over the next three years and top defense prospect Anton Silayev. They have avenues to clearing cap space, too. Areseny Gritsyuk, who carries a $3.25-million AAV, could be a major part of the return. Brenden Dillon's $4-million cap hit is also moveable. The addition of Larkin could shift Jack Hughes to the wing, where he may fit best.
Trade bait: 🎣🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰
Motivation: 😤😤
The Golden Knights operate like great white sharks smelling blood in the water when a star player becomes available. However, in this case, they may be facing too many obstacles. Vegas is right up against the cap and lacks expendable players it could move to clear space, though it does have three first-round picks over the next few years.
Trade bait: 🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰
Motivation: 😤😤
One more play-driving forward could certainly help the Stars get over the hump, but adding Larkin this season doesn't feel realistic. They're nearly capped out and don't have any easy paths to create cap space.
Trade bait: 🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰
Motivation: 😤😤
While Larkin's speed would mesh well with the Avalanche's high-flying game, the club lacks the assets to complete a deal. Colorado doesn't own a first-round pick until 2029, has few enticing prospects, and nearly all of its roster players have trade protection.
Trade bait: 🎣
Cap flexibility: 💰
Motivation: 😤
The Panthers don't have a first-round pick until 2030, and their prospect pool is one of the league's worst. Anton Lundell is the only chip they could move for Larkin, and they appear unwilling to do so.
