The New York Rangers' plan for this summer, dating back to before the start of the 2025-26 season, was that they would try to bring in a star player to help improve their chances at contending for the Stanley Cup. But with the likes of Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov and Jack Eichel signing contract extensions, that plan was grounded into dust. It was looking like the Rangers would have a long road ahead of them in terms of their retool.
But on Thursday, the Rangers and general manager Chris Drury were given a massive assist from Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Larkin officially requested a trade from the Red Wings after spending all of his 11 seasons with the team.
On paper, this is the perfect scenario for the Rangers. They'd bring in a star player who shined in international play in the past two years and is solid defensively. The thing is, it might take a lot of convincing for Drury to pull off a trade.
Dylan Larkin is a dream target for Rangers, but it'd take a lot of convincing to pull it off
Let's first look at the circumstances at what led Larkin to say after 11 years that he wants out of Detroit. This is a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2016. Plus, reporting indicates that Larkin has a shaky relationship with general manager Steve Yzerman. Let's not forget that Larkin publicly called out Yzerman for not adding at the trade deadline during the 2024-25 season, while the team was in the playoff hunt. That, and ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports that the relationship between Larkin and Yzerman began to deteriorate during contract negotiations in 2023.
That's how we got to this point with Larkin now wanting out, and nearly every fan base wanting their team to acquire him. For the Rangers, it would make sense why they want to acquire him. But they are facing slim odds of doing so.
It's important to note that Larkin carries a full no-trade clause until 2028, so he has full say in where he can get traded to. If the lack of playoff trips in Detroit are a reason for Larkin wanting out, why would he want to go to a Rangers team that finished in last place in the entire Eastern Conference this season?
If Larkin were open to being traded to the Rangers, they still have to make an offer that Yzerman would approve. The Athletic's Vince Mercogliano mentioned potential trade packages for Larkin, but questions if the Rangers would have the assets required to convince the Red Wings to give the thumbs up to trade their captain.
"...what could the Rangers offer that would tempt the Wings? Would Trocheck + No. 26 get their attention? How about Lafrenière? Would Drury go so far as to offer the fifth pick? That feels like a bridge too far, but he’s short on prime assets to dangle. That adds to the difficulty of the task."
The Rangers are planning on listening to trade offers for Vincent Trocheck, and the Red Wings were a team linked to him at this season's trade deadline. They made sense, as he'd slot in as a No. 2 center behind Larkin. But with Larkin gone, would Trocheck be a true main piece in a return? Plus, the Rangers have two first round picks (No. 5 and 26). Obviously the latter first-rounder would be an ideal pick to part with, especially as compared to the No. 5 selection, which feels like a lot for Larkin.
Mercogliano mentioning Alexis Lafreniere as a potential part of a trade package would make for a tough decision. Lafreniere has been ridiculed a lot during his time with the team as the No. 1 overall pick. He had a really good 2023-24 campaign, where he recorded 57 points (28 goals, 29 assists), and didn't match that production the following season. He had a rough start to this past season, but rebounded late and solidified great chemistry on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault. He ultimately matched his career-high in points with 57 on 24 goals and 33 assists.
Would the Rangers give Lafreniere away and break up that top line? It depends on how serious Drury is about landing a star this offseason. Larkin fits in that category and even with the no-movement clause, Yzerman isn't going to give him up in a trade for nothing.
All in all, trading for Larkin is much easier said than done.
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