What would you trade Larkin for... a thought exercise

[Rzombo4 prez]

He has full NTC so any trade discussion has to begin with an assumption that he is asking for a trade which typically hurts trade value. Fans are typically disappointed in the returns of star players. It is tough to win a deal where you move the best player, especially in the short term. All of that said, you present a legitimate perspective.

On the other hand, my question is: has an asset like Larkin been traded recently?

Quality 1st line player, prime aged, long term value contract. There is absolutely no uncertainty attached to Larkin which is the exact opposite situation of any star player trade I can think of.

Star's that are traded are typically pending free agents, have injury concerns, are overpaid, or demand out.

In Larkin's situation any version of this would probably fly under the radar for a while. Why? Two reasons. 1) I'd guess Larkin's top priority in this hypothetical would be playoffs/competing implying some level of flexibility on his landing spot 2) I don't think he'd want to completely sewer the organization on the way out so the "demand" would be more so of the nature of "let's work together to find a win-win change for Larkin and the Red Wings"

Yzerman runs a tight ship and because of the contract has no obligation to trade Larkin. I think trade talks would fly under the radar mitigating the impact the NTC has on the trade value.

All of that said, I'm probably talking my self into hypothetical disappoint because of my first paragraph. It just seems like a unique scenario. Realistically the range of outcomes is somewhere between Horvat and Rantanen imo.


Regardless, other than off season BS'n were a long ways away from this hypothetical.

It is really hard to piece something together. The teams that would want Larkin (and who Larkin would waive for) are most certainly further into their competitive window than Detroit is, and likely lack young premium assets at positions we covet (center and defense). They have been good enough long enough that their best prospects weren't high draft picks. To kick you in the balls for good measure, those teams also have first round draft picks toward the back part of the first round(say 22 OA +). Of those teams, I do think MN might be the most sensible landing spot. Like I have said, I don't think we can win a trade of Larkin. The thought exercise, however, is predicated on him demanding a trade.

 

[RedHawkDown]

I'd be very happy with a Rossi + Ohgren return. I'm not sure why Rossi is so hated? He seems to be a responsible 2 way player and puts up points.

 

[USAHockey97]

If you don't view Kasper as a "hit" you have a totally different definition of the word than I do.

I said Kasper looks decent so far. He’s been in the league one year. I’m reserving judgement but he appears to be on the way to being a hit. I might have a different definition of hit than you. He’s a first rounder but also a top 10 pick. IMO, I want to see him crack 50 points or more in at least two seasons. Again, he looks like he’s on his way there but just because he made the NHL doesn’t make a hit in my book as he was too 10. He’s supposed to make it. The odds are higher.

 

[Pavels Dog]

I said Kasper looks decent so far. He’s been in the league one year. I’m reserving judgement but he appears to be on the way to being a hit. I might have a different definition of hit than you. He’s a first rounder but also a top 10 pick. IMO, I want to see him crack 50 points or more in at least two seasons. Again, he looks like he’s on his way there but just because he made the NHL doesn’t make a hit in my book as he was too 10. He’s supposed to make it. The odds are higher.

Hit is a player who makes the NHL as a regular. Miss is one who doesn’t.

 

[USAHockey97]

Hit is a player who makes the NHL as a regular. Miss is one who doesn’t.

You do not take into account a player’s draft position/ranking when selected?

I mean that’s fine, but I would say a player who hit in the third round carries more weight than a top 10 pick. The odds were against that 3rd rounder making it. Your top 10 pick almost certainly should make it. A top 10 hit would be someone who lives up to expectations of that draft position. Not merely makes the NHL.

If a top 10 pick and 5th rounder player both make the NHL, do you consider them hits if they only play on the 3rd line for example? Granted Kasper has played on both the first and second lines which is why I think he will be a hit in my book soon as he will likely get 50 points consistently.

I just think the term hit fluctuates with where a player is drafted in the draft along with making the NHL. That said, after pick 15 having someone make the NHL is an important step.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I'd be very happy with a Rossi + Ohgren return. I'm not sure why Rossi is so hated? He seems to be a responsible 2 way player and puts up points.

Personally I don't like small centers. I think it rubs MN the wrong way as well. There is definitely a group of posters who think the smaller the player the better. I want no part of that when it comes to the center position.

 

[Winger98]

I don't like smaller players in general. My hope with Rossi is that Danielson/Kasper would excel enough to shift him to wing where his size would be less of an issue.

 

[lilidk]

Thought exercise; if we trade Larkin then Minnesota is a team that would greatly benefit from it. They have a good prospect pool of guys just knocking on the door.

Larkin for Ohgren and Zeev Buium.

That’s about as close to win win that we’re going to get. Detroit gets younger with a solid top 6 winger prospect and a top 4 D prospect. Minnesota gets a top line center that’s better than anyone else they’ve had in the past.

It’s also only successful for Detroit if both Danielson and Kasper prove to be legit top 6 centers. on m Larkin and first for Rossi and Buium

Trade pitch has Larkin and first for Rossi and Buium. Both of them will be much better than our pick. Problem is I don't see Kasper as Larkin replacement and Danielson sealing is not even close.

 

[RedHawkDown]

Personally I don't like small centers. I think it rubs MN the wrong way as well. There is definitely a group of posters who think the smaller the player the better. I want no part of that when it comes to the center position.

I’d just play him on Kaspers wing.

 

[ShanahanMan]

Hit is a player who makes the NHL as a regular. Miss is one who doesn’t.

Oh come on. Thats basically saying Ras and Veleno were “hits” too then.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

I'm of the belief that the team that's acquires the best player in a trade, is usually the winner. I'm not trading him unless I'm getting a better player

Larkin is 29 by next season, so eventually moving him to the wing in a couple seasons is probably the safest bet

 

[SirloinUB]

I'm of the belief that the team that's acquires the best player in a trade, is usually the winner. I'm not trading him unless I'm getting a better player

Larkin is 29 by next season, so eventually moving him to the wing in a couple seasons is probably the safest bet

I don't think its an invalid thought to look at Larkin's age, look at the current results, the young core and wonder about our options here. I totally get the line of thinking to acquire high end talent that aligns better.


That said, I'm totally with you. Truth be told, we'd be extremely lucky if we got back anything that ever delivers the kind of impact Larkin does. Trading Larkin creates a massive hole on this team.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

You trade DL and dont get a young top 6 center back, then SY needs to be removed...

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Larkin and mrazek
For
McTavish and Gibson

 

[FMichael]

Personally I don't like small centers. I think it rubs MN the wrong way as well. There is definitely a group of posters who think the smaller the player the better. I want no part of that when it comes to the center position.

Where's a Keith Primeau type when you need him?

(minus the attitude while a Red Wing)

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

There's less than zero chance at all wild are going to trade Buium for anyting. Rossi is the one whose getting traded. You won't get Buium from wild

How about Beniers and Carson Rekhopf from Seattle then?

I’m just spitballing ideas here to see what would work in terms of value.

 

[lilidk]

More likely than not trade will happen and then we have Yzerman press conference, not before

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

More likely than not trade will happen and then we have Yzerman press conference, not before

Larkin has to demand a trade for this to happen. Yzerman can be a pissed off as he wants to be if you're in that camp of thought, he doesn't hold the cards here in terms of what needs to happen first.

Would Larkin waive for Minnesota, not sure that he would. I would lean towards higher end teams in better markets if Larkin is willing to move on. Think Dallas, Florida if they shift salary around and again our return won't be great. I think your favorite opportunity that I can realistically come up with is New York with the Rangers. LA might look for a shakeup if Edmonton dumps them as well.

If I am Larkin I am not waiving for Columbus or Minnesota.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Larkin has to demand a trade for this to happen. Yzerman can be a pissed off as he wants to be if you're in that camp of thought, he doesn't hold the cards here in terms of what needs to happen first.

Especially because it seems highly unlikely that a former captain who was rumored to be traded when his talented team repeatedly underperformed would now as GM trade a captain of his rebuilding team that mildly underperformed.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Especially because it seems highly unlikely that a former captain who was rumored to be traded when his talented team repeatedly underperformed would now as GM trade a captain of his rebuilding team that mildly underperformed.

Larkin is going nowhere unless he wants to leave. Honestly don't even want to trade him unless we get a kings Ransom.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I’d just play him on Kaspers wing.

If you are cool with a wing, would you instead target Yurov? Obviously a less certain return, but potentially more upside.

 

[Oddbob]

Only way you move Larkin is if he wants to be moved, and we get an already good young NHL center back. We can't afford to move him out for hopefuls.

 

[lilidk]

Larkin has to demand a trade for this to happen. Yzerman can be a pissed off as he wants to be if you're in that camp of thought, he doesn't hold the cards here in terms of what needs to happen first.

Would Larkin waive for Minnesota, not sure that he would. I would lean towards higher end teams in better markets if Larkin is willing to move on. Think Dallas, Florida if they shift salary around and again our return won't be great. I think your favorite opportunity that I can realistically come up with is New York with the Rangers. LA might look for a shakeup if Edmonton dumps them as well.

If I am Larkin I am not waiving for Columbus or Minnesota.

I think it's not Yzerman who is pissed off , he's been quiet, it's Larkin. Most likely they already discuss and they probably waiting for end of the playoffs so Yzerman could talk to other teams.
I just think if Larkin wants to stay in Detroit , Yzerman already have press conference, but it is just my thinking and I was more wrong than right, but who cares

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I think it's not Yzerman who is pissed off , he's been quiet, it's Larkin. Most likely they already discuss and they probably waiting for end of the playoffs so Yzerman could talk to other teams.
I just think if Larkin wants to stay in Detroit , Yzerman already have press conference, but it is just my thinking and I was more wrong than right, but who cares

I think this isn't nearly the big deal everyone thinks it is. Larkin told the truth on a question. Again for those that cannot remember Yzerman did this during his career as a Captain as well. My guess is he understands this far better than most on the board are letting on and I would also be stunned if he hadn't heard this before. But he can comment on that if he likes. I don't think this is heading to divorce this summer, I think Larkin said his piece, he wants improvements this summer. Most agree that Yzerman needs to find a way to make roster improvements. Larkin better show up in point per game pace and find answers for his own problems in December and March. I know he missed time a couple years ago there, but if he wants to challenge the organization he needs to come in the best he has as well and live up to his end of the bargain for doing that.

So many want this to be referendum on Larkin or Yzerman. They are two of the most competitive people in the entire state of Michigan. I don't think either guy is as fragile as this board wants to make them out to be.

 

[lilidk]

I think this isn't nearly the big deal everyone thinks it is. Larkin told the truth on a question. Again for those that cannot remember Yzerman did this during his career as a Captain as well. My guess is he understands this far better than most on the board are letting on and I would also be stunned if he hadn't heard this before. But he can comment on that if he likes. I don't think this is heading to divorce this summer, I think Larkin said his piece, he wants improvements this summer. Most agree that Yzerman needs to find a way to make roster improvements. Larkin better show up in point per game pace and find answers for his own problems in December and March. I know he missed time a couple years ago there, but if he wants to challenge the organization he needs to come in the best he has as well and live up to his end of the bargain for doing that.

So many want this to be referendum on Larkin or Yzerman. They two of the most competitive people in the entire state of Michigan. I don't think either guy is as fragile as this board wants to make them out to be.

Well , then maybe just trade our #12 for solid player with long term contract and make everyone here happier