The hockey world is still trying to wrap its head around the shockwave that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has reportedly requested a trade.
It didn’t take long for the buzz in Edmonton to pick up, with fans and local voices immediately picturing what it might look like if the fast-moving center joined forces with Connor McDavid. But one insider has already stepped in to slow down the growing hype.
Oilers Insider Touches Base on Dylan Larkin Trade Rumors
On paper, the hockey logic gets complicated fast. Larkin is a top-line center coming off five straight 30-goal seasons, while Edmonton already has one of the league’s most dominant center duos in McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Edmonton insider Allan Mitchell acknowledged the connection, saying it “makes a little bit of sense.” But he also pointed out the obvious issue: the Oilers are already stacked down the middle.
“The Oilers are strong up the middle with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, so Larkin would be a luxury,” He explained. “However, if (as was implied by management in exit interviews after the season) the team wants to run McDavid and Draisaitl together on the same line, Larkin would be an option for second-line center.”
Even if the Oilers tried to make it work, the financial side is messy. Larkin carries an $8.7 million AAV hit through 2031. Edmonton is already tight against the cap, especially with ongoing discussions around moving contracts like that of Darnell Nurse and his $9.2 million hit.
Without major salary going back to Detroit, the deal simply doesn’t fit. As Mitchell noted, “Darnell Nurse would need to be part of the return for the Red Wings. Otherwise, the Oilers’ roster is too cap-heavy to bring in Larkin’s contract. Detroit may find more attractive offers.”
Detroit’s Stance and Trade Control
Steve Yzerman is known for taking a patient, calculated approach. It’s hard to imagine him moving his captain unless the return is significant. Even after another missed playoff appearance, Detroit isn’t tearing things down completely, especially with key young players like Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider still on the rise.
As a result, the Red Wings will likely target high-end NHL talent, top prospects, or valuable draft picks, not a lighter or underwhelming return.
And there’s another major wrinkle: Larkin has a full no-movement clause. That means he controls where he goes, and after years of playoff frustration in Detroit, he would likely prioritize landing on a proven contender, especially one in the United States.
For now, the idea of Larkin in Edmonton remains more of a fun thought experiment than a realistic roster move, no matter how tempting it looks on paper. The Oilers have other areas of need to address, starting with finding some top-six scoring help on the cheap to take some of the load off McDavid and Draisaitl, followed by adding some blue-line help and, potentially, finding a reliable backup for Tristan Jarry.
