Rumours are circulating regarding the future of Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft and the start of NHL free agency on July 1. According to one report, the expectation is that the Red Wings will honour Larkin’s trade request before the beginning of the 2026-27 season. Larkin is believed to favour a trade to an American team that is positioned to win.
Larkin, who will turn 30 on July 30, has spent his entire 11-year career in Detroit since being drafted 15th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. He has been a three-time All-Star and has recorded at least 30 goals and 67 points in each of the past five seasons. He was also part of the United States‘ gold-medal-winning Olympic hockey team this past winter.
Despite Larkin’s individual success, the Red Wings have not made the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons. Larkin and his agent have reportedly submitted a list of teams they would be open to joining, though the specific teams on this list are not publicly known. One report indicates that the Philadelphia Flyers are not believed to be among the teams on the list.
Larkin’s potential destinations and other trade talks
Three weeks ago, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin reportedly requested a trade to one of three teams: Florida, Vegas, and Minnesota. While Florida was mentioned as a potential destination, they acquired forward Brady Tkachuk in a deal with the Ottawa Senators. Vegas and Minnesota have not yet made a major move.
Amid these discussions, the Red Wings are rumoured to be in contention for former Little Caesars forward Jason Robertson, a Dallas Stars player. The Stars were not on Larkin’s initial list of preferred teams but are considered perennial contenders.
One report suggests that Robertson, a Northville native, is reportedly seeking a contract of $14 million per year, which would match the deal of Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl. A Red Wings beat reporter noted that Robertson is not known for being a strong skater but possesses a knack for scoring goals. The reporter also expressed caution about how a player of Robertson‘s calibre might perform on a team with less talent.
The reporter also indicated that Dallas might seek more than Dylan Larkin in a trade. Additionally, there is uncertainty about whether Robertson would be enthusiastic about joining Detroit. It was also suggested that the Red Wings‘ general manager might not be inclined to pay a player $14 million per year, deeming it a far-fetched scenario at this time.
Separately, the Seattle Kraken were reportedly granted permission by Dallas to engage in discussions with Robertson. The Kraken reportedly offered him approximately $15 million per year on an eight-year deal, but this offer was declined. Neither the Stars nor the Kraken agreed to comment on this, nor did Robertson’s representative.
Other players in trade discussions
Beyond Larkin, other players are also part of trade rumours. Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch is set to become a free agent on July 1. He is reportedly still in contract talks with the Sabres, but the two sides have not yet reached an agreement. Tuch is reportedly seeking an eight-year contract, which only the Sabres can offer, as free agents typically have a seven-year maximum. This situation could lead to a sign-and-trade, similar to a recent transaction involving the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Tuch, who is from Syracuse, New York, and grew up a Sabres fan, arrived in Buffalo from the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021 as part of the trade package for Jack Eichel. The veteran player has consistently been among the Sabres‘ top performers, recording at least 33 goals and 66 points in three of the past four seasons. However, Buffalo faces salary cap constraints and has other key players due for extensions, including forward Zach Benson and defenceman Bowen Byram.
Another factor potentially influencing the Sabres‘ decision regarding Tuch is that he recorded no points in seven games during the team’s second-round playoff series loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Meanwhile, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck is also a subject of trade speculation. He reportedly made it clear he is not content with the current situation in Winnipeg, prompting the Jets to entertain trade calls.
Like Larkin, Hellebuyck won Olympic gold with Team USA this past winter and was considered a top performer in the tournament. However, his NHL performance this past season saw a decline, with a 23-23-11 record, a 2.86 goals-against average, and an .895 save percentage. This contrasts with his previous season, where he achieved a 47-12-3 record, a 2.00 GAA, and a .925 save percentage, earning him the Vezina Trophy as the NHL‘s top goalie and the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP.
The veteran goalie has played 11 NHL seasons with the Jets, accumulating 345 wins with a 2.58 GAA and a .916 save percentage, along with four All-Star selections, three Vezinas, and one Hart Trophy. With the Jets missing the playoffs last season and Hellebuyck tied to the team for five more seasons at an average annual value of $8.5 million, exploring a trade is seen as a logical step. The Florida Panthers were reportedly exploring a trade for Hellebuyck before acquiring Brady Tkachuk. The Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes have also been mentioned as potential interested parties for Hellebuyck or other prominent players on the market.
The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for Friday, with NHL free agency beginning on July 1.
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Source: bleacherreport.com
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
