Detroit Red Wings star forward Dylan Larkin is expected to be traded within the next week to ten days, according to ESPN analyst John Buccigross. The news came during an episode of the Frankly Hockey podcast on October 16, where Buccigross said he had information indicating a blockbuster deal was imminent.
When asked by fellow analyst Frank Seravalli if the trade involved Larkin, Buccigross confirmed, "that's coming." Larkin’s trade request became public on June 4, and he has been a key figure in Detroit since his NHL debut in the 2015-16 season. Despite his desire to move on, the Red Wings have maintained control over the situation. Larkin is signed through the 2030-31 season with an average annual value of $8.7 million, a figure many analysts consider a strong contract for a player of his caliber.
Shawn Horcoff, the interim general manager appointed on September 15 after the departure of Steve Yzerman, has expressed no plans for a rebuild. This suggests Detroit will seek a return of equal value in any trade involving Larkin, rather than accepting prospects or draft picks. The stalemate appears poised to end soon with Buccigross’s prediction of an imminent deal.
The Red Wings face another contract challenge with Simon Edvinsson, a promising defenseman who remains unsigned and has yet to play an NHL game this season. Edvinsson, 23, has been training outside Detroit after spending time in Sweden. As a restricted free agent, the Red Wings must either sign or trade him by December 1 to keep him NHL-eligible this season. Horcoff said on Wednesday he has "zero interest" in trading Edvinsson and is working hard to secure a contract. Buccigross speculated on Frankly Hockey that Edvinsson’s eventual deal could be worth $10 million annually over seven years.
The Red Wings recently signed forward Alex DeBrincat to a seven-year, $91 million extension, a move that has drawn mixed reactions. Seravalli praised DeBrincat but questioned the timing, pointing out that unresolved situations with Larkin and Edvinsson could cloud the team’s future.
"The DeBrincat signing does not, at least at this juncture, indicate that they are closer to getting a deal done [for Edvinsson] today than they were yesterday," Seravalli said. He added that if Larkin and Edvinsson are traded, DeBrincat’s value as a trade asset might have been greater before his extension.
Seravalli suggested the team should focus on Edvinsson’s contract first, then manage the Larkin trade, and only then decide on committing to a long-term and expensive deal for DeBrincat, who turns 29 in December. Detroit currently stands at 3-3-2 after eight games and sits at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with eight points.
Owner Chris Ilitch recently commented on the GM situation, hinting that the search for a permanent general manager "could be at the end of the season," leaving interim GM Horcoff in charge during this critical period.
The Red Wings are navigating a complex roster situation while attempting to manage the demands of star players and contract negotiations. Buccigross’s forecast of a Larkin trade within days marks a significant development in Detroit’s season and its future direction.
According to Yahoo Sports.
