Friedman: Dylan Larkin requests trade, Part II

[Dotter]

The situations are different but they aren't. Regardless of the semantics of it letting it linger and affect the locker room is not good for a team. You think Larkin is going to give it 100% if he has to put the Detroit jersey on again? You think the rest of the team want to go to battle with a guy who doesn't want to go to battle with them?

I think the locker is pissed at Larkin, the fans are pissed at Larkin, old alumni players are pissed at Larkin, many other teams' fans and media around the league are pissed at Larkin... basically Larkin has very few on his side. No one!

Yzerman is a person, if you have followed him you would know, he doesn't care about outside noise. He's going to do what is best for the organization. Things will get really uncomfortable for Larkin if he refuses to be realistic in his trade request.

This has been widely reported on by not just respectable journalists, but by anyone who's worked with Yzerman in the past who really know him.

If you think Yzerman is just going to roll over and take scraps, then you are willfully ignorant. Yzerman has a price in mind and someone will need to pony up and pay it.

This isn't just me saying it, it's been talked about by podcast interviews with past hockey players, media, scouts, etc. It's also been posted on X by LeBrun and other popular media members.

I think Brady just increased Larkin's trade value. GMs who have interest in Larkin are suddenly going to start feeling major FOMO.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Tkachuk wasn't a FA until 28/29. They didn't have to trade him now.

People always say "he will sit" but it just doesn't happen.

Organizations don't want that distraction looming over them the entire season.

I'm guessing Tkachuk was traded because he got an adequate return... Just a hunch.

 

[TommyDangles]

If any GM in the league is going to set a precedent on how to deal with contractually obligated players, it will be Yzerman.

Every respectable reporter has basically said as much many times over...

Haven't you been following this? It's been widely reported.

Yzerman won't want this to be a distraction for the locker room & market. He's not gonna let this go on for long.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

Tkachuk wasn't a FA until 28/29. They didn't have to trade him now.

People always say "he will sit" but it just doesn't happen.

Organizations don't want that distraction looming over them the entire season.

"When he did meet with general manager Steve Staios, there were conversations about Tkachuk’s long-term future; whether or not he saw himself extending in the Canadian capital following the conclusion of his current contract in July 2028.
It’s clear Tkachuk's answer sent Ottawa into uncertainty. After further conversations, a list from Tkachuk's camp was submitted before the draft combine to the Senators including four teams: Carolina, Florida, Minnesota and Vegas.
But, according to several sources, it became clear the preference was alongside Matthew in South Florida. Since Brady had a full no-move clause, the Senators ultimately had two choices: hold or make the best deal they could. "

That's from Sportsnet. There are various others sources basically all confirming that he told them when his deal is up in 28, he has no intention of resigning. That was his leverage. Larkin would not be in a place to do this move till 2030. That's why I said there is no clock on Larkin like there has been with these others stars.

As for letting him sit? I agree that DET will work hard to resolve it as quickly as possible to your point, no one wants this to drag on. But there are number of pretty acrimonious splits where a player has sat for months and months throughout a season because their is no trade for them or their request isn't being honored. With a pretty clear example with Yzerman and Drouin. I don't think they are looking to dump him to get rid of the drama. They'll keep him home.

 

[toskaladagoat]

Yzerman won't want this to be a distraction for the locker room & market. He's not gonna let this go on for long.

Distraction of what? He isn't Mark Messier. Trevor Linden level player without the captain qualities.

He will play show up or expand his list lol.

 

[Dotter]

Yzerman won't want this to be a distraction for the locker room & market. He's not gonna let this go on for long.

One of the top quotes in regards to Yzerman about this Larkin situation by past hockey members, respectable media members, and even a scout has explicitly said:

"if this turns into a game of chicken, Yzerman won't flinch".

Do what you want with that statement by people who have access. Not casual internet hockey forum warriors.

 

[TommyDangles]

I'm guessing Tkachuk was traded because he got an adequate return... Just a hunch.

The adequate return of just picks & the team saying no to any of the roster players you wanted. If that's what you consider adequate sure.

Larkin for a 1st this year and some picks in the future sounds adequate to me.

 

[CokenoPepsi]

So guess Panthers aren't an option anymore...if they ever were

 

[Shonky]

Yzerman won't want this to be a distraction for the locker room & market. He's not gonna let this go on for long.

It's already a step back season next year there's no pressure o getting a deal done right away

 

[TommyDangles]

One of the top quotes about Yzerman in this Larkin situation by past hockey members, respectable media, and even a scout has said:

"if this turns into a game of chicken, Yzerman won't flinch".

Do what you want with that statement by people who have access. Not casual internet hockey forum warriors.

Yea I know Yzerman is the mastermind. Never flinches.

 

[Dotter]

Yea I know Yzerman is the mastermind. Never flinches.

I didn't say that.

However, everyone who knows him (and has worked with him) will describe Yzerman as rigid and patient to a fault. At the end of the day, that's not good for Larkin and his 3 team trade list.

 

[Dotter]

It's already a step back season next year there's no pressure o getting a deal done right away

At this point I think a top 5 draft pick in 2027 is the goal now. There are going to be a lot of sexy centers available.

 

[TommyDangles]

I didn't say that.

However, everyone who knows him (and has worked with him) will describe Yzerman as rigid and patient to a fault. At the end of the day, that's not good for Larkin and his 3 team trade list.

I don't care how the media describes him. Was he rigid and patient getting a return with Walman?

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

The adequate return of just picks & the team saying no to any of the roster players you wanted. If that's what you consider adequate sure.

Larkin for a 1st this year and some picks in the future sounds adequate to me.

I dunno last I checked people were losing their shit over the suggestion that Larkin could return 4 1sts, while Brady just returned three and a 2nd.

BTW, yes, roster players may be the goal, but realistically most teams that are in the market for Larkin don't have a Top 6 center they're willing to return... So kinda expecting picks and prospects.

 

[toskaladagoat]

Yea I know Yzerman is the mastermind. Never flinches.

Oh I don't know if yzerman is but probably a little smarter and more in control of the situation than someone like you

 

[TommyDangles]

Oh I don't know if yzerman is but probably a little smarter and more in control of the situation than someone like you

Yea he's been doing a great job.

 

[toskaladagoat]

Yea he's been doing a great job.

Good analysis.

 

[robbieboy3686]

I still think MacT+ zellwegger+ makes to much sense

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Well that Ottawa trade just made the market for Larkin that much weaker.

 

[TommyDangles]

I dunno last I checked people were losing their shit over the suggestion that Larkin could return 4 1sts, while Brady just returned three and a 2nd.

BTW, yes, roster players may be the goal, but realistically most teams that are in the market for Larkin don't have a Top 6 center they're willing to return... So kinda expecting picks and prospects.

Because when people say 4 1st value they usually don't mean late 1sts or distant future picks.

If Larkin got traded for 4 late 1sts would you consider that adequate value?

What Sens fans expected to get for Tkachuk was FAR from what they actually got.

 

[Dotter]

I don't care how the media describes him. Was he rigid and patient getting a return with Walman?

He was extremely rigid with Walman. We don't know the story behind the scene, but something happened.

I'm going to trust the media on Yzerman's intended actions here. Lebrun and others have been pretty spot on about the situation thus far, no reason not to trust them now.

 

[TommyDangles]

He was extremely rigid with Walman and his patients ran out with him. We don't know the story behind the scene, but something happened.

So his patience ran out with Walman being a distraction and even paid for someone to get rid of him? Does it remind you of another situation?

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Well that Ottawa trade just made the market for Larkin that much weaker.

I'm guessing Florida was never that interested, so I don't think this does much.

If anything, it's encouraging that a guy who had a full NMC and was likely even more demanding about his destination than Larkin returned that much.

 

[Spurgeon]

This Brady trade just increased Larkin's trade value/return.

Disagree, Brady is over 3 years younger & is a significantly better 5v5 player. This just took a buyer out of the equation too.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Because when people say 4 1st value they usually don't mean late 1sts or distant future picks.

If Larkin got traded for 4 late 1sts would you consider that adequate value?

What Sens fans expected to get for Tkachuk was FAR from what they actually got.

I mean this discussion literally came about from the Yurov/Stramel/2027 1st/2028 1st offer... Which is literally four late 1sts.