The Philadelphia Flyers optimistically penciled the summer of 2026 as their opportunity to add to their roster with cap space being at a premium.
Free agency is going to be a dud with a lot of the expected free agents re-upping with their respective teams. However, the trade market remains robust and we can add one more name to the list of available 1Cs in Dylan Larkin.
It was reported earlier Thursday by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that Larkin had requested a trade out of Detroit. It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise with Larkin being vocal about the Red Wings’ lack of aggression in making bold moves to help the team in the present.
Larkin, who will turn 30 at the end of July, is going to be an extremely hot commodity since most teams need a top-6 centre. Along with the Flyers, you’ll hear about Florida, Minnesota, Montréal, and Toronto amongst so many other teams looking to acquire his services.
Larkin is currently one of the few centres who is actually available, alongside St. Louis Blues’ Robert Thomas. The New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils are reportedly listening on offers for Mathew Barzal and Nico Hischier, whereas the Toronto Maple Leafs remain in a state of limbo regarding Auston Matthews.
Nevertheless, the Flyers have always believed this was going to the be year they could start adding to their roster, and after a surprise playoff run that saw them bow out in the second round this year, that will give them even more reason to peruse and be a bit more aggressive – whether we like it or not.
Larkin has scored 276 goals and 643 points in 808 games across 11 seasons with the Red Wings. The former first round pick scored a career high 34 goals this past season in 74 games and has accumulated 354 points in 375 games across the last 5 seasons.
His numbers aren’t entirely eye-popping with just one point-per-game season under his belt, but legitimate 1Cs are a premium in today’s game, and teams will be hard pressed to find a better available option.
The Flyers will have Noah Cates, Sean Couturier, and Christian Dvorak down the middle for the next several years. Trevor Zegras, who should be resigned this summer, could play either wing or centre, leaving a very large question mark at the top of the lineup; something Larkin can solve.
With so many wingers in their employ, including young prospects like Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Nikita Grebenkin (when healthy) fighting for top-9 spots, something has to give.
Larkin has 5 years remaining on his contract that holds an AAV of $8.7 million, which is great value for any team that acquires him with the salary cap making massive jumps over the next several years.
He does hold a full NTC, which turns into a modified NTC in the final three years of his contract, so it remains to be seen if he would okay a move to Philadelphia. However, the Flyers seem like a team on the verge of turning things around after making the playoffs, which is something Larkin has yearned since his rookie year.
While he’s only played in 5 playoff games during his career, Larkin has played brilliantly on the international level at both the 4 Nations Face-Off as well as the Winter Olympics, satiating his big-game appetite.
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will likely be looking for a haul that will include NHL ready players, prospects, and draft picks. He’s held interest in Rasmus Ristolainen, forwards like Owen Tippett or Tyson Foerster might have to be at the forefront, and prospects like Jett Luchanko could be dangled alongside a pick or two.
Is it a steep price? Yes, but you can’t acquire good assets without giving up some in return. Also factoring in the high cost to acquire a top-line centre with plenty of term and a good AAV, as well as more than half the league more than likely being interested in his services, it’s going to be an all-out bidding war.
The Flyers will be in the discussion, but it remains to be seen if they’d be willing to unload several assets that they have held at a premium over the years. Regardless, we’ll likely see where they stand on making aggressive moves once the dust settles.
Larkin is available, the Flyers will be interested, but with the rest of the league licking their chops, will GM Daniel Brière be able to secure his biggest prize yet?
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