Give me a realistic example of a trade of Larkin where you think Yzerman would be considered to have handled it well?
I can’t think of a single realistic trade where Detroit wins the trade. At this point the main goal should be to limit the damage of losing your number one center. At least give the next GM some futures to work with in the inevitable rebuild.
If a trade like this with Anaheim: McTavish + McQueen + 1st + Solberg for Larkin & Anton Johansson.
I think that lands them in a reasonable position short term and future.
You could do a trade with Minnesota of Danila Yurov + Charlie Stramel + Riley Heidt + David Spacek
Or Yurov + Wallstedt + Stramel + Spacek for Larkin & some other piece like Noah Dower Nilsen or Cossa if that is the decision.
If it is Vegas it probably has to be William Karlsson + Pavel Dorofeyev + 1st + Trevor Connelly / Kaedan Korczak. Preference would be Connolly, but they might not trade both Dorofeyev and Connelly, might be one of them. If they want to keep Korczak, we are coming to a difficult territory, maybe Alex Weiermair would be the last peace. Alexander Holtz could be an option, but idk if they would risk getting him.
If its Florida its Lundell +1st and maybe Matvei Shuravin
If its Dallas it would be trying to make something around Jason Robertson re-signed + Justin Hryckowian for Larkin and a better prospect.
If its Utah it makes sense that its for more of a prospects deal like 1st + Caleb Desnoyers + Tij Iginla
Doubtful that they do that, so it could be 1st + Tij Iginla + Cole Beaudoin + Daniil But for Larkin + a forward prospect going back.
I think Yzerman has done a fairly adequate job in Detroit to build a team that can make the playoffs on a regular basis - don't think it has high end contending potential as currently built. That echelon doesn't require perfection in team building. Just look at the errors Buffalo and Ottawa have made over the years. But at it's heart I think boils down to having a Dylan Larkin sized problem. Which is he's not really good enough as a franchise leading 1C. If he was I think Detroit wins those marginal handful of games year to year and end up in a WC position.
The only issue with the rebuild so far, besides its taking time is clear cut top six direct impact centers haven't been available for a reasonable price / They didn't want to go here / Not been available when Detroit drafted. Thus those we got and have drafted will take some more time until figuring out where they fit.
I think if Yzerman can conduct his Larkin auction as if he was a star 1C and received that kind of compensation, it's going to be a win for Detroit. You're not moving off a franchise level player.
That is important to remember, Larkin is not a Franchise level player in terms of skill even if someone feel he is in terms of local state.
The most realistic example is Yzerman moving Larkin for younger players and assets that accelerate a retool. Not a rebuild, but a move designed to improve Detroit's long-term trajectory.
Which is hard to find that fit, as not so many teams that would be trade partners have that. Some have few pieces, but otherwise its going to be more a little longer term prospects that go back.
The question is whether the return helps shape the next phase of the Red Wings better than keeping Larkin through the decline years of his contract.
For long term, if its several pieces then chances are decent, but will be a bit of time until one knows the outcome of that. It has the potential to be a higher upside.
Sure. If it speeds up the rebuild and results in a new GM I’d call that a win. But I think Yzerman is too stubborn to admit his plan hasn’t worked and ownership loves him so I expect him to trade for a stop gap solution that makes the team worse and delays the rebuild.
Well that is what some of these vocal fans been yelling for. Make short term trades for short term upgrades to make the playoffs. I don't think that is the solution. His plan has been fine, you can't help for things not being available to you.
Going to be interesting to see if a trade is made, could be that the price or partner just isn't there and one should be okay with holding on to Larkin until there is some fit that makes sense or if even the younger guys take the other spots and become better without Larkin having been traded at all.
