Detroit — General manager Steve Yzerman’s first comments regarding Dylan Larkin’s trade request was short and to the point.
And it doesn’t sound like it might get done soon.
Yzerman addressed the media briefly after Saturday’s NHL Entry Draft and took no questions specific to Larkin, but did make a statement.
“Shortly after the season I received a phone call from Dylan Larkin’s agent informing me that Dylan would like to be traded,” Yzerman said. “A week later after that, Dylan’s agent followed up with a short list of teams that Dylan would consider waiving his no-trade to go to.
“Having said that, Dylan has five years remaining on his contract. My job as the manager of the Detroit Red Wings is always to do what is in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings and I will act accordingly to that.
“So I cannot make any guarantees or did not make any guranteee that request could or would be met.”
Yzerman wouldn’t address where the Wings stood in regard to potential unrestricted free agent Patrick Kane, and he wouldn’t talk about the roster until after Wednesday’s start of unrestricted free agency.
“There is a lot of uncertainty around that for the time being,” Yzerman said. “I would be in the position to maybe answer more questions and be more specific (regarding Larkin questions) in the future, and I’d leave it at that.”
While Yzerman wouldn’t address the Wings’ plans in free agency, he did say he’d like to have Kane return.
“We can talk about free agency later on,” Yzerman said. “Having said that, yes, we would love to have Patrick remain with the Red Wings.”
Larkin is believed to have Florida, Vegas, Minnesota, Dallas, and possibly Utah, on his list, and might be open to adding a few other teams.
The few trade proposals that have come in for Larkin are believed to be not close with what the Wings are looking for in return.
Larkin, who’ll be 30 on July 30, has five more years remaining on his contract at an annual average value of $8.7 million. He requested the trade after the Wings missed the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season in April, a drought that Larkin has been around for after making the playoffs his rookie season.
Yzerman also addressed Friday’s trade of goaltender Sebastian Cossa to Utah, with the Wings moving into the first round and selecting forward J.P. Hurlbert. Yzerman said the depth in the goaltending position within the organization was a key reason.
Cossa was a 2021 first-round pick (15th overall) who only played one game in the NHL. Cossa had an outstanding first half in Grand Rapids this season, but he struggled down the stretch and watched as goaltender Michal Postava took over duties during the playoffs.
“We felt like we have some depth in our goaltending prospects, and if we could add a good prospect or a good young player in exchange for Sebastian, we have goaltending prospects and we’ll figure it out what we’ll do with the backup goaltending (to John Gibson),” Yzerman said.
“I’ve been in this long enough now to know things can change over time and your needs change. We could significantly improve our prospect pool with a different type of player and still be solid in net.
“Things change along the way and you make moves and you pivot and you do what you think is right.”
As for backing up Gibson, it appears the Wings will fill the need likely through free agency. Postava, 24, was in his first pro season in Grand Rapids.
“We were impressed with the season he had last year and his play in the playoffs,” Yzerman said. “Having said that, it’s just his first year over (from Europe). We’ll look at all of our options through the free agency period and offseason and we’ll see what the best option is.”
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman addresses Dylan Larkin trade request
Reporting by Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
