Red Wings Wanted Absurd Return from Wild for Dylan Larkin
We’ve been waiting for weeks now for Minnesota Wild president of hockey operations Bill Guerin to finalize a trade for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.
Since the moment Larkin handed his three-team list of preferred trade destinations into Wings GM Steve Yzerman, the Wild have on the phone trying to swing a deal. Per reports, Guerin has literally been calling Yzerman every day.
Unfortunately, NHL free agency started today without a Larkin trade preceding it. Thus, the Wild have no choice but to move on with their lives.
Wait… Detroit was demanding what for Dylan Larkin???
However, after NHL insider Nick Kypreos (Sportsnet) reported Detroit’s supposed trade demands Wednesday, you can’t help but wonder why Billy didn’t tell Yzerman to go fly a kite much, much sooner.
According to Kypreos, the Red Wings’ needed Minnesota to include young blossoming superstar Matt Boldy in any trade package for Larkin, which makes you wonder how series Yzerman ever was about trading his captain centerman.
The Red Wings would have no problem trading Dylan Larkin to Minnesota if the Wild were prepared to part with Matt Boldy. Other than Boldy, there is nothing else Detroit GM Steve Yzerman is too interested in.
Nick Kypreos – Sportsnet
Whether they knew it or not, the Wild were never going to trade a newly-turned 25-year-old, in Matt Boldy, for a soon-to-be 30-year-old Dylan Larkin.
Not only is Boldy nearly six years younger, but the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft is coming off his best season yet. In 2025-26, Matt netted 42 goals and totaled 84 points while producing an impressive 10.7 point share.
How many times has Dylan Larkin reached those benchmarks during his 11-year career? Never.
Matt Bold for Dylan Larkin? Haha…
The 2014 No. 15 overall draft pick’s best NHL season came in 2022-23, when he scored 32 goals and totaled 79 points. Last year, Larkin was really good, scoring 34 goals and adding 33 assists, while producing the highest point share of his career, at 8.0.
But not once has Dylan Larkin ever produced a 40 goal or 80 point season, let alone a double-digit point share. Looking into the future, those numbers could become standard for Boldy.
What a beauty by Matt Boldy 😮💨
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 14, 2026
pic.twitter.com/RRovvfYReD
Related: MN Wild Expected to Re-Sign Two Grizzled Veterans
While I understand why Yzerman might start off Larkin negotiations asking for Boldy, I find it hard to believe he ever actually believed in his heart of hearts that he’d get him.
Not only is Boldy just getting started, from an age standpoint, but the Wild have him under contract for an unbelievably affordable $7 million per season through 2029-30.
So again, how serious were the Detroit Red Wings about trading Larkin in the first place… and if Boldy was indeed the demand this entire time, why in the world did Guerin sit around waiting so long?
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