
New reports suggest the offseason could explode with major player movement.
The 2026 NHL offseason is already shaping up to be one of the most volatile in recent memory. And according to multiple top insiders, the Dylan Larkin situation may only be the beginning.
The Detroit Red Wings captain’s trade request earlier this month sent shockwaves through the league, but now new reporting suggests that more star players could soon follow a similar path.
On Thursday, we saw Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse requesting a trade out of Edmonton.
There will be more… NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, who was among the first to break news of Larkin’s request, made a striking comment suggesting that the Detroit situation is far from an isolated case.
Speaking on the Fan Hockey Show, Friedman hinted that other major storylines are already in motion.
“I don’t think this is the last one we’re gonna get this offseason, I’ve been working on some others,” he said, a brief but loaded remark that immediately sparked speculation across the hockey world.
Around the league, there had already been quiet murmurs surrounding Larkin’s situation for some time. Reports suggest frustration had been building between the captain and Detroit management, particularly following contract-related tension and the team’s continued inability to end its long playoff drought.
But Friedman is not alone in believing this summer could bring even more movement.
Chris Johnston of The Athletic echoed that sentiment, noting that the more information he gathers, the more convinced he becomes that the league is heading toward an unusually active offseason.
According to Johnston, trade discussions are expected to heat up significantly in the coming weeks, with multiple teams and star players potentially entering the spotlight.
Already, speculation around the league has expanded well beyond Larkin.
Names such as David Pastrnak, Adam Fox, Connor Hellebuyck, Brady Tkachuk, and Mathew Barzal have all surfaced in various rumor circles: a list that, if even partially accurate, would dramatically reshape the NHL landscape.
There is also growing discussion around the idea of emerging “super teams,” fueled in part by players who have developed chemistry through international competition and could look to carry that into NHL rosters.
At the same time, the trend is raising broader questions about player movement in the modern NHL. Some fans are increasingly uncomfortable with the frequency of star players requesting trades, while others argue it reflects a shift toward athletes prioritizing competitiveness in the prime of their careers.
Either way, the message from insiders is clear: this summer may not just be busy, it may be a game-changer. And if Friedman and Johnston are right, Dylan Larkin may only be the first headline in a much bigger story.
Get the latest news and updates directly in your inbox.
About the author
Writer
Christine has been a lifelong hockey fan ever since she fell for Mario Lemieux’ slick moves and Jaromir Jagr’s mullet. A professional writer, she joined Attraction Media in 2017. Since then, she has good reasons to watch all hockey games and can humiliate several men who can’t handle that a woman knows more about hockey than they ever will.
Read more