Dylan Larkin (Credit: Getty Images) As the Detroit Red Wings open their season Friday at home against the New York Rangers and begin another campaign to snap a 10-year streak without a playoff appearance, NHL Insider has reportedly predicted that the Red Wings could trade Dylan Larkin to the Florida Panthers. This decision came after Larkin shared his plans to leave the Detroit Red Wings, but he apparently does not want to go to the Boston Bruins.He gave Detroit a list of three teams he would be willing to join: the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. Speculation, however, is now indicating that the Detroit Red Wings center will be traded to the Panthers. Let’s take a look at the trade potential of the much-talked about NHL player.
Florida Panthers emerge as Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin’s potential trade spot
The Florida Panthers could emerge as a potential trade destination for Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, with NHL insider Elliotte Friedman predicting that the Panthers could be a potential trade spot for the player. Friedman said Florida has shown interest in Larkin and is one of the teams the veteran center would be willing to join. However, the major hurdle remains finding a trade package that meets Detroit’s demands.According to Friedman, the Red Wings are looking for players who can contribute immediately to the team for their recent camopaign. The club is not interested in picking up prospects and draft picks. Detroit’s interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has indicated that the organization is not looking to enter a rebuild, making NHL-ready talent a priority in any potential Larkin trade.Larkin has spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings since being selected 15th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. After the 2025-26 season, he requested a trade from Detroit and subsequently lost the captaincy he had held since 2021.Recent reports suggest that the Boston Bruins have reportedly made an offer for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, but the proposal was rejected. It has been clear if Detroit rejected the offers or Larkin did.Meanwhile, Larkin will miss Detroit’s first two games of the season because of an upper-body injury, head coach Todd McLellan. This is due to his upper-body injury, which will keep him away from the season’s opener.The 30-year-old center has been dealing with the injury since before training camp and missed the entire preseason. Although Larkin returned to practice this week, he was still being used as an extra forward rather than being placed on one of Detroit’s regular lines. However, the team is hopeful that Larkin can return for Detroit’s third game of the season against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.Dylan has recorded 34 goals and 67 points in 74 games last season while continuing to serve as Detroit’s most important forward. As for his performance, he has totaled 276 goals and 643 points in 808 games through 2025-26.Though, nothing has been confirmed so far, but it is also important to note that any potential deal would be complicated by Larkin’s full no-trade clause, which gives him the immunity to keep control over his future.