NHL Rumor Mill – August 15, 2026
The latest on the Red Wings and an update on Patrik Laine in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MLIVE.COM: Whether the Detroit Red Wings retain or trade Dylan Larkin, Ansar Khan believes they still must improve their offense.
Larkin requested a trade following the end of last season. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars are his preferred destinations, with the Wild as the prime landing spot.
However, the Wild lack the necessary assets (“minimum, a top-six forward, preferably a center”) to deal for Larkin, and the Red Wings aren’t interested in draft picks and prospects in return. Meanwhile, the other three clubs on his list either have little interest, insufficient salary-cap space, or no desire to meet the Wings’ high price.
Even if Larkin returns, the Red Wings must bolster their scoring depth. They lost Patrick Kane (16 goals last season) and James van Riemsdyk (15 goals) to free agency, although signing Viktor Arvidsson (25 goals with Boston last season) will offset part of it.
The Wings also need more production from younger players like Marco Kasper and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. Still, they have to add another experienced scoring forward.
Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat (NHL Images).
Few options remain in the unrestricted free-agent market. Former Wing Vladimir Tarasenko is available, but he wasn’t a good fit in Detroit. Eeli Tolvanen, Michael Bunting, and Patrik Laine are the other notables still on the market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquiring a top-six forward in a trade could require parting with a promising young player or two, something former general manager Steve Yzerman seemed reluctant to do. The Red Wings’ woes could also make it difficult to convince a scorer with any form of no-trade protection to accept a move to Detroit.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently wondered if Larkin’s future in Detroit would affect Alex DeBrincat’s willingness to re-sign with the Red Wings.
A Michigan native, the 28-year-old DeBrincat scored 41 goals last season, marking the third time in his career that he’s reached that milestone. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Proteau pondered whether DeBrincat would move on if the Red Wings trade Larkin. If so, the Wings could get a solid return for him by peddling him before the March 1 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now believes DeBrincat wants to stay with the Red Wings regardless of Larkin’s situation, provided they make him a fair contract offer. Nevertheless, the longer he’s unsigned, the more his name will surface in trade rumors this season, especially if the Wings are still struggling by the March deadline.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Alter recently noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs are among five clubs linked to former Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine.
Laine, 28, is among the few notable players remaining in this summer’s free-agent market. Alter noted that Laine still has an elite shot. Meanwhile, his injury-shortened 2025-26 season made him eligible for a performance-bonus contract this season, which could make him a low-risk, high-reward addition for the Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs are above the $104-million salary cap by $2.752 million. However, they could become cap-compliant by placing forward Max Domi and his $3.75 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve. Domi remains uncertain to play following complications from back surgery.
That could free up sufficient wiggle room to sign Laine, especially if there’s any concern about how well rookie winger Gavin McKenna will adjust to the NHL pace. Still, it seems unlikely that the Leafs will consider adding Laine given his injury history and lack of speed.
The main knocks against the so-called “best of what’s left” among UFAs combines advancing age, injury history, reduced foot-speed, dwindling production, playing style and size.
Beginning with Michael Bunting, who’s approaching 31, not only has his production started to dip from his unexpected surge out of nowhere after joining the Leafs a few seasons ago, but his diving and exaggerated embellishments have earned him a pain-in-the-ass reputation among officials. So teams are simply not willing to put up with the ensuing repeated trips to the penalty box. Looks like he’s “agitated” himself out of a job.
Where Laine is concerned, while his age is not a factor (he only turns 29 next April), and although he still possesses that lethal shot, his frequent trips to the IR and inability to keep up with faster linemates are likely the main reason why no team has yet made an offer anywhere near what he’s likely seeking. Somewhat the same for Tarasenko, who IS, at 34, getting “up there” combined with often lengthy stretches of low production.
For James van Riemsdyk, his age (37 y/o) and notably reduced foot-speed likely spells the end of his career., while for 28 y/o defenseman Nick Blankenburg, his size (5’ 9” 175lbs), likely means the best he can hope for is as an AHL call-up for brief injury-relief spells.