As the Flyers continue their search for a top-line center, they have been involved in numerous rumors involving the position in recent weeks. It's not always easy to find one via trade, but a big name has reportedly entered the market.
Elliotte Friedman dropped a bomb on Thursday evening. Dylan Larkin has reportedly asked for a trade from Detroit.
"There’s a lot to unpack here. First, should mention that no one would comment. Not Larkin, not agent Pat Brisson, not Red Wings Executive Vice-President & GM Steve Yzerman."
"Second, Larkin’s involvement in the trade market is massive. He has a full no-trade clause both this season and next, so his control over the situation does not change July 1. He’s a top-line centre in a league desperate for centres, so there’s going to be a ton of interest. His play at the 4 Nations and Olympics was stellar. That’s going to excite potential trade partners."
Larkin has called Detroit home for his entire 11-year career and was named captain in 2021. Before addressing the skill he brings, there is curiosity about how things got to this point. Without any information for any of the sides involved, we can only speculate. The Red Wings have not made the playoffs in 10 years, which is the longest current drought in the NHL. So aside from his rookie season, Larkin has not seen postseason play and has consistently been one of Detroit's best players.
There comes a point where that weighs on a player. Larkin will turn 30 this summer, and no doubt wants to compete for a Stanley Cup before his career is over. As Friedman noted, it also appears that Larkin and Steve Yzerman don't have the best relationship. That doesn't mean the latter will make any move quickly, but it could also force his hand at some point.
Larkin has a no-trade clause through 2027-28, so the destination is up to him. His contract runs through the 2030-31 season and has a cap hit of 8.7M. No-trade clauses have been a frequent subject in recent years. The Flyers were on one end of it when Torey Krug invoked his to block a trade that would've sent Travis Sanheim to St. Louis. Thanks for that, by the way. Colton Parayko, another Blue, invoked his clause this past trade deadline as well.
Danny Briere, who has been notorious for keeping things quiet around the organization, shouldn't hesitate to give Detroit a call.
Dylan Larkin could be the center the Flyers are looking for
Larkin has been a consistent producer throughout his entire career. He's routinely hit the 60-point mark in five straight seasons and seven of his 11 seasons. He has 30+ goals in the last five seasons as well. The last Flyers' player to hit 30 goals was Travis Konecny in 2023-24, his second consecutive season hitting that mark. Before that, you'd have to go back to Sean Couturier in 2018-19.
While Larkin played a third-line role at the Olympics, he still played a key part in the team's gold-medal run. He scored the first goal in both the quarterfinals and semifinals. He had a similar impact at 4 Nations, despite the Americans falling short in the final game. Larkin hasn't been able to play on the game's biggest stage often enough, and it seems he is more than built for it.
The Flyers broke their own playoff drought and made it to the second round this past season. Larkin could only add to their climb to becoming a contender. He may not be considered an elite center around the league, but he is more than capable of being a top-line player. And he has produced on the power play, posting at least 24 points in four straight seasons. We don't need to talk about how much the Flyers need that.
We can talk about what it may cost to bring Larkin to Philadelphia. If the Red Wings are going to trade away their top center, they're going to want a player back in return who could fill in down the middle. The Flyers aren't flush with top options, which is why they are searching for one. Would a Noah Cates intrigue them? Cates has established himself as a reliable two-way center and has taken steps forward offensively in the last two seasons.
If the Red Wings don't necessarily want a center, the Flyers are flush with wingers. That was why Bobby Brink was a casualty in the deadline deal that brought them David Jiricek. With Porter Martone and Alex Bump establishing themselves as NHLers, the Flyers may be willing to part with more of their wingers. Owen Tippett, who has a 10-team no-trade clause, has routinely been brought up in rumors. Despite his skill, this may be the kind of deal where the Flyers could stomach trading him away.
Detroit does not have a first-round pick this year, trading it to the Blues in the Justin Faulk deal. The Flyers have their first-round pick this draft and two next year, assuming the Toronto pick does indeed go to them in 2027. Regardless, Briere shouldn't hesitate to deal the picks if it comes down to it. A player of Larkin's caliber doesn't often become available like this.
The Flyers are a team on the rise, and adding Larkin is a no-brainer. It may be some time before this one is settled, but Briere needs to do more than his due diligence on this one.
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