Dylan Larkin Trade Talks Heat Up as Panthers Reportedly Make Offer

The 2025-26 NHL Season has wrapped up with the Carolina Hurricanes clinching their first Stanley Cup since 2006. As the offseason unfolds, all eyes are on Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, whose future is now a focal point leading up to the 2026 Draft.

Larkin, who has seen limited playoff action in his career—just five games since entering the league in 2015—requested a trade earlier this month. This request comes after the Red Wings missed the postseason for the tenth consecutive year, marking the longest active playoff drought in the league.

So, where do things stand for Larkin? According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, who broke the news of Larkin’s trade request, there appears to be movement in the negotiations. Speaking on Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Friedman suggested that the groundwork for a deal is being laid and hinted that the Red Wings may have already received an offer from the Florida Panthers, one of the three teams on Larkin’s initial trade request list.

“I definitely think the action has started on Larkin,” Friedman stated. He noted that teams have reached out to Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, with the Panthers reportedly making a formal offer. “There’s talk going on right now, and I don’t know if anything gets done. Like, it’s tough,” he added, acknowledging the complexities of trade negotiations.

Friedman also mentioned that other teams, including the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes, are involved in discussions, but both franchises prefer to keep a low profile amid the trade rumors. “I definitely think there’s groundwork and conversations being done out there,” he confirmed.

Reports from Detroit Free Press beat writer Helene St. James indicate that the three teams on Larkin’s trade list are the Panthers, Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild. Notably, these teams feature several of Larkin’s teammates from the recent 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, which could influence future negotiations.

The Panthers currently hold the No. 9 overall selection in the upcoming NHL Draft, a valuable asset that could be leveraged in a potential trade for Larkin. The Red Wings, however, do not possess a first-round pick after trading it in March to the St. Louis Blues as part of the package to acquire defenseman Justin Faulk. Additionally, forward Anton Lundell, who has accumulated 89 points over the last two seasons, has been mentioned as a possible trade piece that Florida might include in negotiations.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.