Red Wings center Dylan Larkin expands his trade list; several teams are interested in Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DYLAN LARKIN EXPANDS HIS TRADE LIST

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin is willing to expand his list of preferred trade destinations to as many as eight teams.

Larkin, 30, requested a trade earlier this year, and initially would approve a move to the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, or Florida Panthers. It was also rumored he’d accept a trade to the Dallas Stars.

Friedman thinks the Stars are among Larkin’s expanded list, along with the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This report brings the list to seven destinations. No idea which club would be the eighth preferred landing spot for Larkin.

None of these teams are viable destinations for Larkin because they lack the cap space to absorb his $8.7 million average annual value. Even if the Red Wings agreed to retain half of his cap hit (which they won’t), those clubs still can’t afford him without sending a high-salaried player to Detroit, which is unlikely.

SEVERAL CLUBS INTERESTED IN MARCHENKO

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that several teams are interested in Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).

The 26-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July. He’s reportedly unwilling to sign an extension with the Blue Jackets and was evasive when reporters questioned him about the rumor during training camp.

Friedman indicated the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders have already been mentioned as potential suitors. He also mentioned the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets. Friedman said he heard the Boston Bruins made an offer at one point, heard conflicting stories about interest from the Vegas Golden Knights, and thinks the Seattle Kraken could also be in on this.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan gauged the Maple Leafs’ rumored interest in Marchenko. He wondered if they could afford the winger’s next contract because they have already committed $105 million against the $113.5 million cap for 2027-28.

Koshan believes young winger Matthew Knies would have to be part of the return to the Blue Jackets. If not, the Maple Leafs could consider moving a promising youngster like Easton Cowan or Ben Danford. Koshan doesn’t consider Marchenko much of an upgrade over Knies, who is younger, carries a more affordable long-term deal, and is likely to keep pace offensively.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has made it clear that he wants a scorer in return for Marchenko. He’s not interested in a package of draft picks and prospects. It might be different if Marchenko were UFA-eligible next summer, but his RFA status gives Waddell leverage here.

Waddell could want Knies straight up for Marchenko, but I agree with Koshan that the Leafs would be better off keeping the 23-year-old power forward.

TSN’s Darren Dreger recently acknowledged the trade rumors have resumed about Knies, but he doesn’t believe the Maple Leafs are shopping him. He thinks it’s teams that were interested in the young winger earlier this year circling back to check on his availability.

UPDATES ON NIKISHIN, EDVINSSON, AND TARASENKO

SPORTSNET: Friedman also reported the Carolina Hurricanes have permitted Alexander Nikishin’s camp to talk to some teams. The 24-year-old restricted free agent defenseman requested a trade following the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run.

Friedman wondered if Nikishin might be part of a three-team trade. He’s been mentioned as part of a possible trade offer by the Hurricanes if they were to pursue Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, but Friedman said Nikishin isn’t believed to be interested in signing with the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maybe Nikishin is part of a three-team deal that sends him to another team and brings Hellebuyck to the Hurricanes? Friedman said he believes the Canes haven’t given up hope of landing the Jets goaltender. If so, which team would be the third party in this deal? Feel free to weigh in on this scenario in the comments below?

According to Friedman, the Detroit Red Wings prefer to sign RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson to a bridge contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The dysfunction continues in the Red Wings’ front office.

Edvinsson, 22, is one of the Red Wings’ top players. He and Moritz Seider form a solid young blueline tandem. He’s blossoming into a reliable, two-way defenseman. He’s been loyal to this struggling franchise, rejecting offer-sheet proposals from several clubs this summer. He reported to training camp and is practicing with his teammates, though he can’t participate in scrimmages or play in preseason games.

And for all of that, Wings management is thinking a bridge deal. A team with over $19 million in cap space, a once-proud club that hasn’t made the playoffs in a decade (!), a franchise still trying to find a full-time GM, is playing hardball with one of their better players.

I’m not suggesting they use up most of that cap space re-signing Edvinsson, but they’re wasting too much time getting one of their top-two defensemen under contract. The Red Wings continue to lurch from one self-inflicted disaster to another with nothing to show for it but an angry, disillusioned fan base and a team of players who could be losing faith in their playoff hopes before the season begins.

Friedman reported the Florida Panthers and UFA winger Vladimir Tarasenko might be considering a reunion. “Makes sense, he’s played there, and (Brad) Marchand is hurt for now,” Friedman said.