Detroit — This week already has been busy around the NHL, and it’s likely to get more active.
The NHL Entry Draft takes place Friday and Saturday and that’s usually a fertile time to make more trades, with draft picks dealt and roster players moved to get those picks — or for other players as general managers begin actively reshaping rosters.
The Wings are likely to be in the center of a ton of speculation regarding trades. As a Detroit sports fan, you’ve likely heard Dylan Larkin has asked for a trade.
Larkin has five years remaining on his contract ($8.7 million annual average value), is a consistent 30-goal scorer, has evolved into a quality defensive center, and starred in the 4-Nations Tournament and Olympics (but has only played five playoff games).
Larkin also has a no-trade clause and can dictate where he’d like to be traded. That could continue to be an obstacle for general manager Steve Yzerman to overcome, while looking for the best possible deal to fulfill Wings’ needs.
Florida was one of Larkin’s preferred destinations, but the Panthers likely erased that possibility by acquiring forward Brady Tkachuk to play alongside his brother Matthew. That leaves teams such as Minnesota, Vegas, Dallas, Anaheim, and others, that have been linked to Larkin.
The Wings might also be gauging the market on prospect goaltender Sebastian Cossa. The former first-round draft pick is out of minor-league options and would be exposed to waivers if not on the Wings to begin the season. But the Wings might not be sold on Cossa backing up John Gibson this season, and with several goaltending prospects passing Cossa by, he seems available for trading at the right price.
Who are names around the NHL that could be linked to the Wings, primarily for Larkin? Who are some other players around the NHL that cold moved, period? Here’s a list of names to watch for:
Jason Robertson, Dallas
Position: wing. 2025-26 stats: 45 goals, 96 points, 82 games. Age: 26. Contract: Restricted free agent.
Analysis: A prolific 40-goal scorer, Robertson needs a contract and the Stars are salary cap-strapped. A simple trade for Larkin isn’t necessarily that clean because Dallas would dearly miss Robertson’s offense and it’s not deep at wing. Also interesting is how many NHL people aren’t entirely sold on Robertson’s overall game.
Danila Yurov, Minnesota
Position: center 2025-26 stats: 12 goals, 27 points, 73 games. Age: 22. Contract: $2.95 million through 2028 (RFA).
Analysis: Yurov might be a key piece if Larkin is dealt to the Wild. Yurov is a young player who showed potential and could evolve into a good scoring forward. But largely an unproven commodity.
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver
Position: Center. 2025-26 stats: 15 goals, 51 points, 74 games. Age: 27. Contract: $11.6 million AAV through 2032; no-movement clause.
Analysis: Larkin isn’t going to Vancouver, but would the Wings be interested in a separate deal? Pettersson was one of the NHL’s bright young stars, but then tailed off the last couple of years. Bringing the Sedin twins into the Canucks’ front office might inject new life into Pettersson.
Vincent Trocheck, N.Y. Rangers
Position: center. Stats: 16 goals, 53 points, 67 games. Age: 32. Contract: $5.625 million AAV through 2029; 12-team no-trade list.
Analysis: The Wings were linked to Trocheck as a second-line center behind Larkin. That likely has all changed. Good option for contending team.
Mason McTavish, Anaheim
Position: Center 2025-26 stats: 17 goals, 41 points, 75 games. Age: 23. Contract: $7 million AAV through 2031.
Analysis: Had a bad season with the Ducks and a trade might be best for both sides. He has good offensive tools, but a lot of teams are nervous about his skating.
Tomas Hertl, Vegas
Position: center 2025-26 stats: 24 goals, 58 points, 82 games. Age: 32. Contract: $8.1375 million AAV through 2030; 3-team trade list.
Analysis: The Golden Knights might move Hertl to do other things, Larkin a distant possibility. Hertl looked be slowing this season and might be on the downside of his career.
Darnell Nurse, Edmonton
Position: defenseman. 2025-26 stats: Seven goals, 24 points, 82 games. Age: 31. Contract: $9.25 million AAV through 2030; no-movement clause.
Analysis: The Wings likely aren’t interested, but there will interest from others. Getting away from Edmonton, and maybe into a second-pairing role, could reinvigorate Nurse.
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg
Position: Goaltender. 2025-26 stats: 23-23-11, 2.86 GAA, .895 SVS, 57 games. Age: 33. Contract: $8.5 million through 2031; no-movement clause
Analysis: The Commerce Township native, and Olympic star, hasn’t demanded a trade, but there’s a lot of smoke. Any trade would be to a Stanley Cup contender, as it’s the only trophy missing on Hellebuyck’s resume.
Shane Wright, Seattle
Position: Center. 2025-26 stats: 12 goals, 27 points, 74 games. Age: 22. Contract: $886,666 AAV through 2027.
Analysis: Wright hasn’t been the NHL player many suspected he would be, and a change of scenery might be best at this juncture in his career.
Morgan Rielly, Toronto
Position: defenseman 2025-26 stats: 11 goals, 36 points, 78 games. Age: 32. Contract: $7.5 million AAV through 2030; no-movement clause.
Analysis: The veteran Leaf will be traded, likely to a West Coast team, as both sides look for fresh starts.
Matthew Knies, Toronto
Position: wing. 2025-26 stats: 23 goals, 66 points, 79 games. Age: 23. Contract: $7.75 million AAV through 2031.
Analysis: Would Toronto seriously move this talented young player? If yes, there’d be a lot of interest, though the Wings likely wouldn’t have the pieces the Toronto would want.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina
Position: center 2025-26 stats: two goals, nine points, 42 games. Age: 25. Contract: $4.82 million AAV through 2030.
Analysis: Kotkaniemi has never found a role with the Stanley Cup champions, and this may finally be the time for everyone to part ways.
Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh
Position: winger. 2025-26 stats: 24 goals, 48 points, 60 games. Age: 33. Contract: $5 million AAV through 2028; 8-team no-trade list.
Analysis: Rakell’s value may never be higher, and the Penguins might be aggressive this summer. Could be a good, underrated acquisition for someone.
Jake DeBrusk, Vancouver
Position: winger. 2025-26 stats: 23 goals, 42 points, 81 games. Age: 29. Contract: $5.5 million AAV through 2031; no-movement clause
Analysis: It hasn’t worked out in Vancouver, and the Canucks are rebuilding. DeBrusk has shown the ability to be a consistent 20-goal scorer.
Valeri Nichushkin, Colorado
Position: wing. 2025-26 stats: 17 goals, 49 points, 72 games. Age: 31. Contract: $6.125 million through 2030; 12-team no-trade list.
Analysis: The Avalanche need some salary-cap relief, and Nichushkin has value. He’s a big, skilled winger who can provide offense. But age could slowly be creeping up on him.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Who might be on NHL trade market? A look at options for Red Wings, others
Reporting by Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
