The Dylan Larkin trade standoff just hit another major roadblock

The Dylan Larkin trade saga has stretched well into July, and while the Detroit Red Wings star forward is drawing no shortage of interest from around the NHL, the fundamental obstacle to a deal has barely budged.

According to David Pagnotta, the San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, and New Jersey Devils have all expressed interest in acquiring Larkin. But despite the growing list of suitors, Larkin reportedly has not been willing to significantly expand the group of teams he would accept a trade to.

As it stands, Larkin's approved list sits at just four clubs. He recently added the Dallas Stars alongside the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights as destinations where he would waive his no-trade clause. That minor concession, however, has done little to break the logjam that has defined this offseason standoff.

The Stars and Red Wings have already held preliminary trade discussions, but talks reportedly stalled quickly. Detroit set a high bar by asking for 23-year-old center Wyatt Johnston, who posted 45 goals and 86 points last season and carries a contract running through 2030 at $8.4 million per year. Dallas understandably declined.

The Stars countered by offering winger Jason Robertson, but that package comes with complications of its own. Robertson is a restricted free agent who has filed for arbitration and reportedly turned down an eight-year extension worth roughly $15 million annually from Seattle when a separate trade fell through around draft time. Detroit's priority is a top center, not a winger with an unresolved contract situation.

The other three original destinations look increasingly unlikely. Florida recently acquired Brady Tkachuk in a blockbuster deal. Vegas is squeezed against the cap after re-signing Rasmus Andersson to a seven-year, $8.5 million pact. Minnesota has barely $1 million in available space and may lack the assets Detroit is demanding.

However, a significant change took place on Wednesday morning when it was announced that Yzerman has been relieved of his duties as Executive Vice President and GM. Rather than parting ways entirely, however, the organization confirmed that the Hockey Hall of Famer will transition into a senior advisory role, working directly alongside Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch.

It was Yzerman who had reportedly urged Larkin's camp to broaden the acceptable destination list, but the player's representatives have resisted. When Yzerman was leading negotiations, it was said that he was seeking an NHL-ready talent in return, not draft picks and prospects that would signal another rebuild for a franchise that has missed the playoffs in ten consecutive seasons. This could all change now…

Larkin's contract actually strengthens Detroit's position. With five years remaining at $8.7 million per season, the deal looks like a bargain in an era of rapidly escalating salaries. Leo Carlsson's recent offer sheet from Philadelphia, five years at $18 million annually, only reinforces how reasonable Larkin's cap number is for a five-time 30-goal scorer.

A three-way trade could theoretically unlock a path forward, though such deals are notoriously difficult to construct.

If nothing changes, the very real possibility of Larkin reporting to training camp this fall looms, setting up what would be an undeniably awkward situation in Detroit.

But it could work out now that Yzerman isn’t in power anymore. Who knows?!