Dylan Larkin has picked his destination

The Dylan Larkin trade saga has been the dominant storyline of the NHL offseason, and with each passing week, new layers continue to emerge. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman recently made his strongest comments yet about the Detroit Red Wings captain’s future, stating plainly that he believes Steve Yzerman is ready to move on from his longtime franchise centerpiece. But while much of the hockey world has focused on whether a trade will happen, the more fascinating question now is where Larkin actually wants to go.

For weeks, the Minnesota Wild have been widely regarded as Larkin’s preferred destination. However, there is a growing sense that Minnesota may not be able to meet Yzerman’s asking price. The Red Wings GM is determined to extract maximum value for his top center, and if the Wild fall short, Larkin may need to look elsewhere.

That is where things get interesting. Friedman’s colleague, Nick Kypreos, has pointed to the Dallas Stars as Larkin’s destination of choice. Dallas, a perennial Stanley Cup contender with a deep roster and a win-now window, would represent exactly the kind of opportunity Larkin has been seeking after spending 12 seasons in Detroit without meaningful postseason success. The 29-year-old’s desire to compete for a championship reportedly intensified after helping Team USA capture gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and Dallas checks nearly every box.

Kypreos also floated another intriguing name to watch: Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek. The former Red Wings assistant GM knows Detroit’s organization intimately and could attempt to insert himself into the sweepstakes. But we all know how Larkin remains in control…

Regardless of the destination, the pressure falls squarely on Yzerman to secure a return worthy of a reliable two-way center capable of producing 60 to 80 points per season. Larkin has a no-movement clause, meaning he holds significant leverage over where he ends up. That dynamic limits the pool of potential trade partners and complicates negotiations.

The Red Wings appear to be nearing the end of a lengthy rebuild, with one of the league’s stronger prospect pipelines finally taking shape. Losing their captain stings, but if Yzerman can land a haul of premium picks and prospects, it could accelerate Detroit’s timeline rather than derail it. The next few weeks should bring clarity on whether Dallas, Minnesota, or a dark horse like Anaheim ultimately wins the Larkin sweepstakes.