Suggested Blockbuster Trade Sees Golden Knights Acquire Dylan Larkin From Red Wings – Hockey Writers –

June 23, 2026 may go down as one of the funniest days in recent NHL history. Several big trades were completed, including Simon Nemec being sent to the Calgary Flames, Bowen Byram being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, and William Eklund being moved to the Ottawa Senators, with the draft just days away.

The one name left on the board, despite requesting a trade a short time ago, is Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings.

Although it is expected that the Red Wings will continue to weigh the market for Larkin this offseason, it seems that they are in no rush to move him. Larkin has reportedly given the Red Wings a list of teams he would like to join, including the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers, but another team that has emerged as a possible fit, which Larkin would like to join, is the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights are coming off a strong 2025-26 campaign, but suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals. As they look to try to make another deep playoff run next season, making a splash for Larkin makes sense, but the price will be high.

In this article, we’ll take a quick look at what a potential trade between the Golden Knights and Red Wings involving Larkin would look like. Remember, this agreement is just an assumption. There are confirmed reports that Larkin would be open to joining the Golden Knights, but there is no indication that the two sides have discussed a trade at this time.

Solid Package For Red Wings Land, Golden Knights Enter Larkin

Depending on who you ask, Larkin’s value varies. Some fans believe he is only worth a player and a mid-round pick, while other fans believe that, with the current state of the NHL trade market, Larkin could get the Red Wings a terrific trade return.

I went somewhere between those two situations. Larkin is a quality player who can bring a lot to the table for a contending team, and after seeing how much teams are willing to pay to improve this offseason via trade, considering the pending free agent class, I think the Red Wings could get a solid return.

In theory, the Golden Knights get Larkin in exchange for Tomas Hertl, Trevor Connelly, and their 2028 first-round pick. The Red Wings get a first-round pick, which will be a must in any Larkin return, as well as a top prospect, and a proven NHL forward.

Hertl has trade protections that would prevent him from being moved to the Red Wings, but if he is open to being moved there, the Red Wings would be adding a solid contributor. If they want to stay in contention, adding someone like him could keep them close to the playoff picture.

In the 2025-26 season, Hertl scored 24 goals and added 34 assists for 58 points in 82 games. Throughout his career, he has scored 276 goals and added 331 assists for 607 points in 873 games.

Connelly, 20 years old, could be ready to make the jump to the NHL next season. With the Henderson Silver Knights in the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, he scored 14 goals and added 35 assists for 49 points in 46 games.

Time will tell what the Red Wings end up getting for Larkin, but this deal makes sense for both teams. There have been rumors that Hertl could be acquired, so moving him as part of a package for a star like Larkin makes a lot of sense. It’s hard to believe that the Red Wings would be much better in a trade package than any other team, given their lack of power, but we’ll see what happens.

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