Earlier this month, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman broke the news that Dylan Larkin has requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. This came after the Red Wings extended their playoff drought to 10 years following a disastrous finish to the 2025-26 season.
Larkin's trade request undoubtedly puts the Red Wings in a difficult position. With Larkin being the team's best center, they will need to replace him with another star at their 1C spot if they honor his request and move him. This would not be an easy task for Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, but it is a real necessity. This is especially so when noting that they also need an upgrade for their second-line center spot over Andrew Copp.
Yet, if the Red Wings end up dealing Larkin, they have a prime potential trade target to consider in New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal. He would be a perfect replacement for Larkin as the Red Wings' first-line center spot, as he is a legitimate star.
The Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch recently reported that the Islanders are exploring Barzal's market. With the Islanders at least being open to hearing what teams are willing to offer for Barzal, the Red Wings would be incredibly wise to kick tires on the 2015 first-round pick.
Barzal's stats from this season shows just how much of an impact he is capable of making. In 81 games this season, the 6-foot-1 forward posted 19 goals, 53 assists, and 72 points. He also had 23 goals and 80 points in 80 games for the Islanders in 2023-24, so he undoubtedly would be able to replace Larkin's production if the Red Wings move their captain.
Could the Red Wings use Larkin to try to land Barzal?
With Barzal being a star, it is fair to wonder if they could use Larkin as their big trade chip to try to land the Islanders center. They are both legitimate top-six centers, so there could be a potential match here if the Islanders are truly open to moving on from Barzal.
However, the big fly in the ointment with this potential deal is Larkin's full no-trade clause. The Red Wings center would need to give the green light for a move to the Islanders. At this juncture, the Islanders are not believed to be on Larkin's trade list. Last week, the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. Pierre reported that the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights are the teams Larkin is currently willing to accept a trade to.
Yet, even if Larkin ends up not wanting to be moved to the Islanders, the Red Wings should still look to acquire Barzal. He would be an excellent replacement for Larkin if brought in, and he would offer them a long-term solution for their first-line center spot. This is because he is signed through 2030-31, carrying a $9.15 million cap hit. This just adds to his appeal, and it will be intriguing to see if Detroit targets the Islanders center from here.
