MLive’s Ansar Khan wonders aloud whether the Red Wings’ next general manager and/or president of hockey operations (whatever we’re calling “who comes next,” anyway) might be able to salvage the team’s relationship with disgruntled captain Dylan Larkin.
Khan argues that it’s obvious that the Red Wings can’t obtain the “equal value” they’re seeking for Larkin from the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights or Minnesota Wild (who are, admittedly, offering “futures”-based returns).
To stave off delaying the Red Wings’ rebuild even further, Khan believes that the next GM/president and owner Christopher Ilitch must engage in a full-court press to mend fences with Larkin:
It’s reasonable to question whether too much damage has been done by the trade request. Can Larkin return to that dressing room? Will fans accept a player who wanted out and handcuffed the club with a small list of approved destinations?
The relationship on both fronts is not irreparable. If Larkin’s issue was entirely a personal grievance with Yzerman, he’s surely communicated that to the team’s other prominent players, namely Moritz Seider Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat. If he’s convinced them “It’s not you, it’s him,” then it’s reasonable to assume he’d be welcomed back into the room.
Many fans undoubtedly would boo Larkin early on, but those feelings would fade over time if he continues producing the way he has.
Although Larkin’s situation was different from his buddy, Zach Werenski, who never asked Columbus for a trade and simply said he’s not sure he’ll extend after his contract expires in 2028, a similar joint release explaining his position and expressing his commitment to the organization would help in repairing the relationship.
Larkin would also need to state he’s relinquishing the captaincy. A player who’s requested a trade can’t continue wearing the C.
Top-line centers are difficult to acquire. The Red Wings have nobody on their roster or in their pipeline who could come close to replacing Larkin’s production – five consecutive 30-goal seasons and an average of 71 points during that span.
Larkin’s $8.7 million cap hit (an average of $7.7 million in actual salary because the deal was front-loaded) is a bargain by today’s standards — 23 forwards have an AAV of $10 million or more, topped by Leo Carlsson at $18 million and many more will enter that stratosphere in the next few years with the cap projected to continue increasing.
Continued; fair points all, but this is not a city that offers many olive branches to anyone who “wants out” of the City of Motors.
We all know that Larkin is productive, and that, in a post-Leo Carlsson offer sheet world, he’s making an affordable amount of money as the salary cap begins to skyrocket.
We all know that he was “popular in the room” and that he did a solid job as the team’s social glue.
And we all know that he will remain a very good player–maybe not another team’s #1 center, but, due to his age, contract and production, someone who’s worth a #1 center’s return in any trade.
I just have a very, very hard time swallowing the concept that there is going to be a reunion at the end of all of this mess.
The logical parts of Khan’s arguments all make sense, but the Ilitch organization’s track record with disgruntled players suggests that it’s going to take more than shaking hands and making up publicly to satisfy both management, ownership and the fan base. And I just don’t see that gulf being bridged.
