There has been a concerning trend happening across the NHL in recent years. Players have been using their leverage to force themselves out of their markets, putting their current club in pretty tight spots.
This past summer, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk made it known to management that he wanted to be traded to join his brother down south -- and with a division rival -- requesting a trade to the Florida Panthers.
Although players requesting trades are not new, two very public trade requests were made this past off-season from Dylan Larkin and Connor Hellebuyck. They are both integral parts of their respective clubs with Larkin being the Detroit Red Wings captain and Hellebuyck being the three-time Vezina winning goalie for the Winnipeg Jets.
Fans and media have speculated on the likelihood of Hellebuyck being traded to the Edmonton Oilers but much less has been written about Larkin. A large part of this is because it appears that he may not want to go to the Oilers, according to recent reports.
Larkin provides Red Wings with expanded trade list
Due to Larkin's current contract terms, he has a full no-trade clause for two more seasons, until the end of 2027-28. At that time, it changes to a 10-team modified no-trade clause. According to Detroit Free Press reporter, Helene St. James, Larkin originally provided the Red Wings with three teams he would be willing to accept a trade to: The Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers.
That was earlier in the summer and obviously nothing has materialized as of yet and the team has been unable to make a trade. Now, St. James has provided an update that reports that Larkin has since expanded that original trade list to 10 teams. The seven new teams are: The New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Utah Mammoth.
Unsurprisingly, most of these teams occupy the upper-half of the current NHL standings and consistent Stanley Cup contenders. Three of the last four teams to battle in the Stanley Cup Finals are on his reported list except one notable omission; the Oilers.
Oilers should be in on Dylan Larkin
There are of course things that may make the Oilers a less desirable market for Larkin to pursue. This is not a new thing that the Oilers have had to deal with but given the club's roster and star power, adding Larkin to the mix would make them a much better team.
There are some logistical hurdles like that fact that he plays centre and the Oilers have two superstars capable of slotting in on their first or second line. However, with Oilers new head coach Mike Babcock's line combinations, there is a clear spot for Larkin down the middle behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Even if the Oilers were to slot McDavid and Draisaitl at their first and second line centre spots, Larkin could easily drive play as their third line centre. It would be unusual but it would certainly rival the incredible centre depth that teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins had in the late 2000's with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal slotting in as their top-nine centres.
Larkin is allowed to have his preferences but him refusing to put the Oilers in his expanded trade list feels like a slight and an oversight.
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