Dylan Larkin isn't turning his probable departure from Detroit into a simple affair for GM Steve Yzerman.
In the wake of last week's word that the center had pushed for a move following a tenth straight postseason-less year, additional information on his preferred landing spots came out to start Monday.
Per the Detroit Free Press's Helene St. James, the center has signaled he'd waive his protection for a mere three clubs: Florida's Panthers, Minnesota's Wild, and Vegas's Golden Knights.
The center has a remaining five years on a contract that spans eight seasons and totals $69.6 million, carrying an $8.7 million yearly cap figure, which he inked with Detroit in 2022-23. The deal grants complete no-trade rights up through 2027-28, beyond which it shifts to a roster of 10 approved clubs over the closing trio of seasons.
The slim roster of clubs Larkin will sanction creates a serious headache for the GM and his franchise. For one, the slate features a side that ranks among the two favored to capture the 2026 crown in Vegas; a contending Minnesota team that recently shipped a haul to the Canucks of Vancouver to bring in Quinn Hughes; plus a division foe, Florida, fresh off back-to-back crowns. Hardly the formula for a hefty return.
On top of that, such a narrow field keeps Yzerman from sparking a bidding contest among what is presumably a far broader set of clubs that would covet Larkin. Boxed in that way, a Larkin truly intent on exiting Detroit may be forced to lengthen his list should Yzerman dig in and do right by the franchise.
All three destinations Larkin named carry key contributors who lined up beside him for the United States at the most recent Winter Olympics in 2026, something that may be influencing his thinking. On Vegas there's Noah Hanifin plus Jack Eichel; in Minnesota it's Hughes, blueliner Brock Faber, and forward Matt Boldy; Florida counts Matthew Tkachuk among its group. A duo from the trio, Florida and Vegas, additionally sit in states where no income tax applies.
Across 74 outings a season ago, Larkin produced a 67-point haul on 34 goals and 33 assists, marking five straight years with 30-plus goals. The captain has appeared in only five postseason contests across his whole career, each coming as his 2015-16 rookie year wound down.