NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2026
Check out the latest on Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, plus updates on the Blues and Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman wondered if Steve Yzerman stepping down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings would affect center Dylan Larkin’s trade request.
Larkin, 29, listed the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers as his preferred trade destinations. It’s believed he expanded that list to include the Dallas Stars.
Bultman believes it’s a complicated situation, looking at several possibilities.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
One of them could be a new general manager taking a different stance from Yzerman’s hard-line approach to Larkin’s request. That GM could be more collaborative toward getting a deal done, which could convince Larkin to expand his list.
For now, it’s too soon to say how this will unfold until a new general manager is named.
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes it would be worthwhile for the Red Wings if the new general manager can convince Larkin to stay. They have no one within their system to fill his role as first-line center, and such players are difficult to find in the trade market. His $8.7 million average annual value is considered a bargain in today’s market.
Larkin shouldn’t have any difficulty returning to the Red Wings dressing room if his strained relationship with Yzerman is the reason behind his trade request. Khan acknowledged that Larkin would be booed at first by Red Wings fans if he stays, but that could fade if he continues to produce as he has in recent years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been over a week since the Red Wings announced that Yzerman was out as general manager and executive vice president. So far, there’s no sign that Larkin has changed his mind about his trade request.
Larkin could be waiting to see who replaces Yzerman. On the other hand, his mind could be made up that he wants out regardless of who becomes GM.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Jeremy Rutherford was asked if Pavel Buchnevich will still be on the St. Louis Blues’ roster after the 2027 trade deadline.
Rutherford replied that he’d be shocked if the Blues were able to move Buchnevich, whose performance has declined in recent years. He noted that the winger will turn 32 in April and has four years remaining on his contract.
Rutherford was also asked if the Blues were interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies.
The Blues have shown an interest in Nikishin and will continue to do so if the price is right. Rutherford is sure they checked in on Knies, but the asking price sounded exorbitant.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have a better chance of landing Nikishin than they do Knies.
The Hurricanes are reportedly weighing trading Nikishin over re-signing the 24-year-old blueliner. Meanwhile, the new management in Toronto isn’t as keen to move Knies as their predecessor was.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently reported that the Vancouver Canucks’ ownership would like to reduce player payroll by $20 million.
He noted the Canucks are already down $12 million in payroll compared to last season. PuckPedia indicates that their current salary cap payroll is $86,185, 833.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks could attempt to free up that $8 million by trading Elias Pettersson, but his $11.6 million AAV and his declining production make him difficult to move.
Brock Boeser ($7.25 million AAV) and Jake DeBrusk ($5.5 million) are more likely trade candidates. One or both could be moved at the deadline, provided those moves don’t put the Canucks below the salary cap minimum of $76.9 million.
Evan Gold was what I hoped the Wings would be replacing Y with. Will he go to the Isles now?
Wings need new blood.
They have needed new blood for some time. Stevie staying around isn’t going to help things in Hockeytown.
Who is rumored that the Isles would have to give up for him?
That’s an interesting note on Vancouver wanting to substantially reduce their payroll. Over the last several years, you notice some clubs are consistently far below their allowed cap, and it speaks to the clubs and their internal cap in terms of profit, income, and expenditures. It often doesn’t get talked about much as it’s such a behind-the-doors topic. But imagine being a Canuck player having the year they had and then hearing management wants to reduce the payroll, yeesh, you could understand how a player would want out. That might also be a factor, or more of a factor in the future, as to how some low-expenditure clubs have a hard time signing or re-signing players as it becomes more obvious which clubs spend to the cap to max their chances at icing as good a team as possible, and which clubs hold back cap money affecting the overall talent level of the team.
Larkin – we have beaten this drum to death. If he wants out he needs to expand his wish list. Otherwise he will need to play for the wings. The only team of the 4 that likely have legit interest may be the wild but unfortunately for Larkin and the Wild, I dont see them as great trade partners unless a 3rd team is hauled in and there doesnt seem to be much interest in that by the looks of things.
As for Vancouver it makes perfect sense to reduce payroll during a rebuild. Why spend extra dough when there is no chance to compete yet and the vets you do have, no disrespect, are not marquee draws. If things go right with the rebuild in a few years the team will once again be a hot spot. Its just the cycle of things.
I’d still like the bruins to try and trade for larkin at some point. Trade Zacha and a number one. if the incoming GM handles it right maybe he can persuade Larkin to expand his list. Come on Dylan you know you want to wear the black and gold. You’ll most likely get meet Ray or Bobby.
I don’t see him coming to Pittsburgh.