We now know exactly what the Red Wings are looking for in Dylan Larkin trade

The Detroit Red Wings appear to be setting an extremely high asking price for captain Dylan Larkin, and a new update from TSN insider Darren Dreger suggests that any team hoping to acquire the veteran center will have to surrender a massive haul of assets.

According to Dreger, interim general manager Shawn Horcoff is looking for two A-quality prospects, an NHL-ready top-nine forward, and a first-round draft pick in exchange for Larkin. It's an enormous asking price, but it also provides an interesting glimpse into how Detroit's management views its captain and what it would take for the organization to even consider moving him.

Larkin has long been one of the most important players in Detroit, serving as the team's captain and one of its primary offensive weapons. However, with the Red Wings continuing to search for answers and the organization facing important decisions about its future, speculation surrounding Larkin's status has become an increasingly fascinating storyline.

If Horcoff is genuinely demanding that kind of return, any potential trade would represent a major franchise-altering decision for the Red Wings.

Red Wings Set Massive Asking Price for Dylan Larkin Trade

The Red Wings aren't about to give their captain away for pennies on the dollar, and the latest report from Darren Dreger suggests that any team hoping to pry Dylan Larkin out of Detroit will need to make a substantial offer.

Speaking about the ongoing situation on TSN, the NHL insider outlined exactly what interim GM Shawn Horcoff is looking for in a potential Larkin trade.

According to Dreger, Detroit wants two A-quality prospects, a top-nine forward who can play in the NHL right now, and a first-round draft pick. That's a significant package for any team to surrender, particularly one that is already trying to position itself as a Stanley Cup contender.

However, Detroit's position becomes easier to understand when you consider the circumstances surrounding its captain.

Larkin requested a trade following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, ending a lengthy relationship with the franchise that drafted him 15th overall in 2014. The 30-year-old center has spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings, recording 643 points in 808 games through the end of last season. Unfortunately, he has also spent most of that time watching the playoffs from home, with Detroit missing the postseason in each of the past 10 seasons.

For a player who has served as the face of the franchise, the prolonged lack of success has clearly taken its toll.

Now, Horcoff has to figure out how to get the best possible return for a player who remains one of Detroit's most valuable assets.

The asking price is particularly interesting because it goes beyond simply collecting future draft picks and prospects. Detroit wants an established NHL forward who can step into the lineup immediately, suggesting the Red Wings have little interest in completely tearing down their roster and starting from scratch.

That requirement could complicate negotiations with teams that are primarily interested in acquiring Larkin to improve their own top-six forward group. Any contender willing to make a serious offer would have to determine whether it can afford to sacrifice two premium prospects, a first-round pick and a useful NHL player while still maintaining enough depth to compete.

The Minnesota Wild are one team worth watching. Minnesota has been searching for a legitimate top-line center, and the organization has reportedly been pursuing Larkin. Detroit executives have also been spotted scouting Wild games, fueling speculation that the two clubs could be discussing a potential deal.

The problem is that Minnesota would have to find a way to make the finances work while convincing Detroit that its offer meets Horcoff's demanding price.

The Montreal Canadiens have also been linked to Larkin, with some reports suggesting they possess the assets to assemble a competitive package. However, Larkin's no-trade protection means Detroit cannot simply send him wherever it wants. His willingness to approve a destination could ultimately be just as important as the assets offered in return.

There is also an important distinction between Detroit's asking price and the package another team might ultimately be willing to pay. Horcoff can demand two top prospects, a current NHL forward and a first-round pick, but that doesn't guarantee any interested club will surrender all four pieces.

Still, the Red Wings have little reason to accept a disappointing offer simply because their captain wants a fresh start. Larkin remains a productive center with considerable value, and his contract could make him especially attractive to teams looking for an established top-line player.

The bigger question is whether Horcoff can find a team willing to meet his demands and whether Larkin would agree to the destination.

For now, Detroit appears determined to drive a hard bargain. If Dreger's report accurately reflects the organization's position, a Larkin trade won't come cheaply.

And with the Red Wings continuing to navigate an increasingly complicated situation involving their former captain, this is a storyline that could have major ramifications for the franchise's future.