Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Dylan Larkin and Jeff Blashill do not look like a clean Chicago match, even if the name grabs attention.
That is the real read coming out of the latest Blackhawks chatter. Larkin is a star center, but the fit starts wobbling once you line him up against where Chicago says its roster is going.
Elliotte Friedman’s point was the one that stuck. Larkin controls this with his no-trade clause, and Chicago is still far enough from real contention that it is fair to wonder if he would even choose that path.
On paper, the appeal is obvious. Larkin scored 34 goals and 67 points in 74 games, which would have dropped real speed and top-line punch into the Blackhawks lineup right away.
If you’re a rebuilding team, like a San Jose or Chicago, I would be curious to see if he really wanted to do that.»
– Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts Podcast
He also would help a team that still leans too hard on Connor Bedard. Bedard finished with 75 points in 69 games, and there is still not enough proven attack around him.But this is where the story turns. Kyle Davidson just said Chicago is set down the middle with Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Anton Frondell, which makes a veteran center feel more like a luxury than a true need.
That matters because Davidson also made it clear he is targeting help on defense. Chicago’s front office is reading the roster and seeing a blue line hole before a center hole.
«A veteran center is likely not on the Hawks’ wish list. Davidson believes they’re already set down the middle with youngsters Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and Anton Frondell.»
– Ben Pope, Chicago Sun-Times
A major new development just made Chicago’s Dylan Larkin position impossible to ignore
Blashill is part of the intrigue, no question. He coached Larkin for seven years in Detroit, and familiarity like that always makes people look twice.
But familiarity alone does not carry a trade this big. Larkin has five years left on his deal at an $8.7 million average annual value, and that kind of swing only makes sense if the player and the timeline line up.
Chicago is still building that timeline. The Blackhawks finished with a young core all over the roster, and Davidson openly warned about blowing too many holes in the lineup for one move.
There is another layer, too. The Blackhawks have the No. 4 pick, and Davidson said that asset is drawing serious calls, which gives Chicago other ways to add without forcing a Larkin chase.
«Considering how young the Blackhawks’ roster is, Davidson said he’d ideally acquire a player who would fit his core’s timeline and could play alongside those players for many years.»
– Scott Powers, The Athletic
So yes, Larkin would make the Blackhawks better. He would add faceoff help, pace, and a real top-six push.
But the stronger read is still the same one sitting underneath all the noise. Dylan Larkin is a big name for Chicago to think about, not the move that best matches what the Blackhawks say they are building.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
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