I’m increasingly torn on the Dylan Larkin situation. There’s nothing wrong with a player earning his leverage and negotiating trade protection — that’s part of the business. But at some point, the balance has to shift. It’s one thing for a player to exercise control when a team decides it’s time to move on. It’s something entirely different when the player is the one asking out.
If you’re the one requesting a trade, handing your team a list of only three acceptable destinations isn’t leverage — it’s a straitjacket. It leaves the organization with virtually no room to operate and no realistic chance of maximizing value.
The more I watch these scenarios play out, the more I’m convinced of this: If a player asks for a trade, their no‑trade protection should no longer apply.
Helene St, James on X: Dylan Larkin has submitted a list of where he would like the Detroit Red Wings to trade him. It’s only three teams long, and may need to expand. [Vegas, Minnesota, Florida]
Darren Dreger on The Morning Show: If you’re giving up Michael Hage, you’re not giving him up for Nazem Kadri. I know Montreal wasn’t willing to do it for Robert Thomas, but is Dylan Larkin different? That’s what we’re gonna find out.
Michael Russo on The Athletic: Without a shadow of a doubt, the Wild will be heavily in the mix and probably called already [re Larkin].
Elliotte Friedman on NHL Tonight: If it’s the Ducks, maybe you get Mason McTavish and something [for Larkin].
Elliotte Friedman on NHL Tonight: I’ve heard Minnesota, I’ve heard Dallas, I have to believe the two Florida teams [re Larkin].
Dave Pagnotta on The Sheet: Right now, it seems like the best return [for Larkin] is futures driven, which would kind of veer them back into this rebuild all over again type scenario.
Frank Seravalli on Canucks Central: They’re [LA Kings] probably gonna be pretty aggressive this offseason. They’re looking to try and land their replacement for Anze Kopitar. I’m sure they’d love to get in the mix for Dylan Larkin.
Elliotte Friedman via X: Reporting w/ @SportsnetSpec Darnell Nurse asks for trade, agrees it’s time for a fresh start.
Darren Dreger on OverDrive: There will be some level of interest [in Nurse]. I did have a couple of general managers, that the interest will come but only if the Oilers are willing to take back a bad contract.
Mark Spector on Sportsnet: Stan Bowman has been quietly open to moving Darnell Nurse since the conclusion of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the second straight in which Nurse’s play disappointed.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: I think it’s mostly East, I don’t believe it’s Canada. If there’s a West team, and I stress if, because I don’t know, I would think it would be LA simply because he [Nurse] knows the manager.
Elliotte Friedman on The Fan: I think they’re [Flyers] interested. I think they’re a team he [Nurse] would consider going to.
Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic: There’s been much speculation about Zach Werenski in the wake of Dylan Larkin’s trade request. I’m told there has not been any communication to the Blue Jackets indicating that kind of thing.
Dave Pagnotta on Leafs Morning Skate: There’s some talk they’re [Columbus] gonna start exploring Elvis Merzlikins again.
Chris Johnston on The Chris Johnston Show: New Jersey, one year out with Nico Hischier, do they wanna make that kind of swap [for Larkin].
Pierre LeBrun on The Athletic: If I were to handicap things, I still think the most likely scenario is that Nico Hischier stays put and signs an extension with the Devils.
Dave Pagnotta on The Fourth Period: Toronto is expected to explore the trade market on its goalies – Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby.
Jeff Marek on Sekeres and Price: I just haven’t heard anything other than Mat Barzal wants to stay with the Islanders.
Michael Russo on The Athletic: I believe the Wild called on Mat Barzal last offseason, but while we know the Islanders are getting calls on him, there is no evidence to suggest they want to trade him.
Dave Pagnotta on Hello Hockey: They’re not shopping him [Barzal], but they’re willing to listen on him.
Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic: I don’t think Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen can bring himself to view Alex Tuch in the double-digit salary world.
Dave Pagnotta from The Fourth Period: Buffalo hasn’t been, from all indications, willing to go over 10 million AAV [Alex Tuch].
Dave Pagnotta on The Fourth Period: I expect Seattle to be in the mix on this [Alex Tuch].
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: There’s still time and things can always change with one phone call, but the word is that there hadn’t been a lot of movement, that there’s still a gap [Sabres and Tuch].
Rachel Kryshak on ESPN: The Sabres are believed to have offered Alex Tuch something in the range of $9 million annually, while other sources claim Tuch is looking for as much as $10 million.
Chris Johnston on First Up: If this is about maximum dollar, I could see him [Darren Raddysh] getting something like 7 years at $9 million. I don’t think that’s beyond the realm of possibility for him.
Elliotte Friedman in The Fan: There was a rumor going around like a week ago that they got him [Darren Raddysh] extended, but nobody has confirmed that to me, I don’t know what to make of that.
Jeff Marek on Vingan and Daunic: Dallas is right up against it, especially if they re-sign Jason Robertson, which doesn’t look likely, but if somehow, they do, I wonder if someone like Mavrik Bourque could be ripe for an offer sheet.
Chris Johnston on The Chris Johnston Show: If they [Canadiens] go chase a Robert Thomas or maybe it’s Vincent Trocheck or someone, I can’t see them getting to training camp and not have made some kind of move to address that position.
Dave Pagnotta on The Fourth Period: The Habs will be looking to add a second-line center, a top-six winger and a rugged right-shot defenseman this summer.
Bruce Garrioch from The Ottawa Citizen: The belief is that the Canucks may not be seeking much in return [for Jake DeBrusk] because they would like to get out from underneath the contract. Two league sources told the Ottawa Citizen that they believe the Senators are among a group of teams that have shown interest in Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk.
Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic: The Hurricanes, league sources confirm, talked to Florida about Sergei Bobrovsky. My understanding is that Florida asked for a first-round pick at the outset.
Bruce Garrioch from the Ottawa Citizen: The Senators have a level of interest in Mason McTavish of the Ducks and Jordan Kyrou of the Blues. The belief is that the latter wouldn’t waive to come to Ottawa.
Pierre LeBrun on Melnick in the Afternoon: I really think there’s a chance he [Mason McTavish] gets moved. Teams are obviously intrigued but also concerned. They wanna know why the Ducks are taking so many calls on him.
Pierre LeBrun on The Athletic: It’s most likely that the pending unrestricted free agent [Anders Lee] will head to the market on July 1.
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