Blackhawks Probably Don’t Belong By Dylan Larkin – Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The world of the NHL dropped a huge bombshell when insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade from the only team he’s ever known, spending the last 11 years there.

Considering he’s a big-name player, it adds another impressive layer to the offseason.

The Chicago Blackhawks have an important summer ahead of them to develop their team. They need established talent. In addition, they have the assets and the second most salary cap space for 2026-27 ($40.16 million) to clear things up.

So, could Larkin on the Blackhawks have legs?

Can Larkin Pick Blackhawks?

Friedman spoke with Larkin and Chicago on his “32 Thoughts” podcast on June 5,

“I will say this. Larkin has a no-trade clause this year and next year, so he has control. If you’re a rebuilding team, like San Jose or Chicago, I’d be curious to see if he really wants to do that. Like San Jose, it’s got to be very tempting to look at (Macklin) Celebrini and say, ‘Wow to play a few years with that guy’. But, they’re a long way off, aren’t they? Or a long way off. Are you really going to want to leave a team that’s been on top for so long? in the playoffs a few years ago but he hasn’t entered yet, in the teams that are a little far away?

…San Jose is the team that I wonder if they would look at it differently? But teams like Chicago, like a team like New Jersey, that’s been in the playoffs and won, do you think they’re close enough to win?”

Larkin is an interesting name to think of in Chicago. He’s been a top center in the NHL for a while, so it doesn’t make sense for them to ask.

However, it seems to come with obstacles. If his most important thing is winning, which Friedman seems to be saying, that could be a roadblock, because the Blackhawks aren’t just Larkin away from the Stanley Cup.

But let’s say the Blackhawks and Red Wings reached an agreement, and Larkin was willing to waive his no-trade clause to come to the Blackhawks. That would be something. His 82-game average is 65 points, with a 52.8 faceoff percentage. Those two figures quickly lift them up. Chicago’s faceoff percentage was second-worst in the NHL (46%). Larkin’s 67 points would have been second-best on the team behind Connor Bedard.

At 29 years old, he has five years left on an eight-year deal ($8.7 million AAV), so he’ll be there in time. With the cap going up, his AAV shouldn’t be an issue, but, like anything, it’s still something to keep in mind.

This move doesn’t seem as cut and dry as other potential targets like Matthew Knies or Jason Robertson, as the trade is in Larkin’s hands. But it doesn’t hurt to check things out, and it looks like general manager Kyle Davidson is.

Do Larkin and the Blackhawks Make Sense?

Scott Power of Athletic and Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun-Times heard from Davidson at the screening meeting.

Powers wrote, “Considering how small the Blackhawks’ roster is, Davidson said he could find a player who fits his timeline and can play with those players for many years. (from ‘Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson says motivated to make big offseason move’ – The Athletic – 06/05/2026)

Pope also noted, “A veteran center is probably not on the Hawks’ wish list. Davidson believes they already have juniors Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell in the mix.”

There is no doubt that Larkin can make the Blackhawks better. He would improve the top six, special teams, and faceoffs. Besides playing alongside Bedard, it will also allow Larkin to meet Tyler Bertuzzi, whom Larkin described as one of his best friends.

After that, there is head coach Jeff Blashill, who was his head coach for seven years with the Red Wings.

If Larkin and the Blackhawks choose each other, it would be a huge boost for the organization, as it would ensure that others share their opinion on what they are trying to build. But there seem to be too many pieces of the puzzle that don’t fit well if they ultimately choose to stick with the institutions they have, and Larkin’s ambitions may not align with where the team is.

All in all, Larkin’s arrival with the Blackhawks seems like a long shot, but in the NHL, you never know.