Russo: MN Wild in Tough Spot Unless Dylan Larkin Goes Full-Tkachuk
The Minnesota Wild are trying to get a deal done for Detroit Red Wings star center and captain, Dylan Larkin. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to secure a deal to this point.
It’s early in the NHL offseason so that’s no big deal, right? Well, in the Wild’s case… it kind of is. See, July 1 is a big day on the league calendar.
That is when pending unrestricted free agents can officially negotiate with new teams and the first day that players with contracts due to expire next offseason can negotiate extensions with their current teams.
For Minnesota president of hockey operations Bill Guerin, that means wrapping up talks with UFAs like Mats Zuccarello and Nick Foligno, while preparing for franchise-altering extension talks with Quinn Hughes.
Red Wings making Minnesota Wild wait on Dylan Larkin
If you haven’t looked at the calendar, that means Billy has one week to prepare for contract talks with at least a half-dozen players that he still doesn’t know whether or not he can afford… because he is still waiting on the Detroit Red Wings to hopefully trade them Dylan Larkin.
And unlike Guerin, it sounds like Yzerman is somewhat happy to hold onto Larkin beyond July 1, in hopes that one of the pursuing teams on his preferred trade list will up their current offer.
Chris Johnston: It sounds like it's pretty slow on Dylan Larkin; Steve Yzerman is not giving Larkin away, he's not feeling an ounce of pressure – Chris Johnston Show (6/22)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 23, 2026
With everything Guerin has to get done, Michael Russo (The Athletic) made it clear in an article posted Tuesday that the MN Wild’s entire offseason is on hold while they wait for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to get serious about trading Larkin.
To this point, outside of a contract extension for Michael McCarron, Guerin has accomplished nothing. Minnesota reportedly made a huge offer for Brady Tkachuk, but he ultimately made his preference to play in Florida with his brother clear, essentially forcing his way to the Panthers.
Dylan Larkin may have to go full Brady Tkachuk
In fact, Russo goes as far as to say that Larkin may have to go full Brady Tkachuk if he wants to play in for the Wild, and force the Red Wings to make a deal with one team and one team only, via his no-trade clause.
Now [that the MN Wild missed on Tkachuk,] they continue their pursuit of Larkin, though it’s not clear how fast Steve Yzerman wants to accommodate Larkin’s wishes…
…Larkin was also open to expanding his list to include other teams, per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. As we just learned with Tkachuk, though, the list itself only means so much. Until a player has waived to go to a team, he holds the cards on a deal being completed.
So if Larkin really wants to join forces with Olympic gold-medal teammates Hughes, Matt Boldy and Brock Faber, plus superstar Kirill Kaprizov, in Minnesota, he can be unyielding if he chooses. The Wild sure hope he is.
Michael Russo – The Athletic
Last year, Dylan Larkin netted 34 goals and assisted on 33 more for the Detroit Red Wings. In total, he’s spent 11 seasons in Detroit (808 games), where he’s put up 276 goals and 367 assists.
Whether he is traded this week or after July 1, it remains unlikely the Detroit Captain scores any additional points in a red and white uniform. This deal still feels like a matter of “when”, not “if”.
Related: Vladimir Tarasenko Unhappy with Paul Theofanous Just Like MN Wild
But how long can Billy wait and does Larkin eventually have to take matters into his own hands, like the Minnesota Wild are hoping he will? Unfortunately, that’s not the only question circling this situation.
While Russo never mentioned it in his piece this morning, a report came out Monday suggesting the 30-year-old’s top destination is NOT the Wild, but instead their Central Division rival — the Dallas Stars.
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