First it was the Minnesota Wild as the favorite to trade for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Then it was the Florida Panthers. Now it’s the Dallas Stars.

Weren’t the Vegas Golden Knights also prominent for a half-day?

Sportsnet hockey insider Nick Kypreos reported Monday night that Larkin, owning a full no-trade clause, would like to be moved to Dallas

Nick Kypreos: It appears Dylan Larkin’s destination of choice is Dallas – Sportsnet (6/22)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 22, 2026

The Dallas possibility creates intrigue because the Stars have desirable unsigned restricted free agent forwards Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque to sign and only have roughly $10 million to accomplish that. They are also trying to re-sign Jamie Benn.

Robertson, 26, scored 45 goals last season for his third season of 40 or more goals. He likely is looking for a deal in the range of $12 million or more. Bourque, 24, who can play center, scored 20 goals last season.

Larkin’s $8.7 million contract would fit better under the Stars’ salary cap.

The Dallas Stars’ GM is former Red Wings’ executive Jim Nill. GM Steve Yzerman know each other well.

The Larkin trade situation is complicated because he only open to going to a few teams, and the Red Wings are drawing a hard line in what they want in return.

Insider Elliotte Friedman, for example, said that he doesn’t believe the Red Wings would accept a return similar to the three first-round picks the Florida Panthers gave up for Brady Tkachuk.

What that means is the Red Wings want established players, or players close to being ready. There’s an urgency to qualify for the playoffs. And they are looking for a young center and a scorer. They aren’t looking for more draft picks.

Wild Don’t Have Right Assets

Here’s what we know thus far: A Minnesota source said he doesn’t believe the Wild have what the Red Wings want for Larkin. The Florida Panthers are probably out on Larkin because they have no desire to move young Anton Lundell. Plus, they are strong down the middle.

Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin are friends, and the Golden Knights would like to make it work, but they would have to give up both Trevor Connolly and Pavel Dorofeyev. Plus, the Golden Knights don’t have cap space.

Certainly, the Red Wings would like to get this trade completed early so they know where they are before trying to sign UFAs and make trades. Plus, it’s anticipated they could end up with a 2026 first round pick in the Larkin package. They would like to have because their own first-round pick belongs to St. Louis (Justin Faulk trade).

But Yzerman likely will dig in unless he receives a package of players who can help his team. Larkin’s speed and five consecutive 30-plus goal seasons should high value in the NHL marketplace