NHL Rumor Mill – October 21, 2026
Check out the latest on the Red Wings and Kings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN AND SIMON EDVINSSON
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James reports Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has expanded his list of preferred trade destinations to 10 teams.
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (NHL Images)
The list includes Larkin’s original three destinations, which were the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights. He recently broadened it to include the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Washington Capitals.
According to St. James, Larkin included the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and the Utah Mammoth on his updated list.
Montreal Canadiens fans who chanted for Larkin when the Red Wings recently played at the Bell Centre will be disappointed to learn that the Michigan native has not included any Canadian teams on his list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The expansion of Larkin’s trade list has raised expectations in the rumor mill that a trade could be coming soon. However, his previous attempts to improve his trade stock by including more potential destinations haven’t done much to move the needle.
As with the other recent additions to Larkin’s list, the Hurricanes, Devils, and Mammoth either can’t afford his $8.7 million average annual value through 2030-31 or don’t have a pressing need to add a center to their top-two lines.
There’s the Hughes connection with the Devils. If Larkin is traded to the Devils, it could further entice Quinn Hughes to join his brothers in New Jersey as a free agent next summer. However, the Devils only have $1.3 million in salary cap space right now, meaning they’ll have to create considerable room for Larkin’s cap hit.
The Red Wings’ asking price remains a significant hurdle. TSN’s Darren Dreger recently reported they sought two Grade-A prospects, a first-round draft pick, and a top-nine forward.
One of those clubs could still make a pitch for Larkin, and it’s no secret the Minnesota Wild tried during the offseason. So far, however, there’s nothing to suggest that anything’s changed.
It could take a three-team trade to get this done, but it’s not easy to see how that might work right now that salary retention is no longer allowed in those types of deals.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Red Wings restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson recently met with his agent and Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff, but there was no breakthrough in their contract negotiations.
Edvinsson, 23, feels this situation has dragged on so long that the only logical option for him is a trade. However, LeBrun claims he’s stopped short of formally requesting one.
Horcoff still hopes to sign Edvinsson, but LeBrun indicated he’s also having trade discussions. The San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins are reportedly among 10 teams that are believed to be interested in the young puck-moving defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings have until 5 pm ET on Dec. 1 to get Edvinsson signed, or he’ll be ineligible to play the remainder of this NHL season. The closer this situation gets to that deadline, the more likely the possibility of a trade grows.
As for what the Red Wings might seek in return, LeBrun suggested three trade comparables: The Mikhail Sergachev deal that sent him from the Lightning to the Mammoth; the Noah Dobson trade that sent him from the New York Islanders to the Canadiens; and this summer’s deal that sent Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres to the Chicago Blackhawks.
UPDATE ON THE KINGS
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports there is no easy fix for the struggling Los Angeles Kings, who finally got their first win of the season on Tuesday.
Goaltending has been singled out as an issue, but LeBrun said the club’s biggest concern is their lack of scoring. They’re 31st in the league in that category.
LeBrun said the Kings would love to get into the bidding for Dylan Larkin, but they’re not on his list of trade destinations. They’ve also kicked around the idea of signing free-agent winger Patrik Laine, but LeBrun isn’t sure if they’re going to go that route.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings currently have just over $1.1 million in cap space. Any trade for a scorer would involve freeing up cap space. They could place sidelined winger Kevin Fiala on long-term injury reserve, but they must be cap-compliant when he returns to action later this season. It would also further deplete a prospect pipeline that was ranked 21st overall by The Athletic.
“Very little escapes the walls of Hockeytown, and, more often than not, that information is disproven, like the supposed three team trade list of Larkin’s.”
https://octopusthrower.com/nhl-insider-believes-dylan-larkin-deal-will-happen-this-week-01m5a7wek40q
So, Larkin had more than a 3-team original list?
Initially, it was a three-team trade list as reported by Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. She’s the one who also reported the teams that it has since been expanded to. She’s been the most consistent in covering this story.
“Despite ample play time, key power play minutes and a handful of talented line mates, Larkin has oscillated between autopilot and brief flashes of the old Larkin since his season debut.”
https://octopusthrower.com/dylan-larkin-s-lack-of-effort-is-more-than-noticeable-01m5d01avm8a
As always, you have to give to get. I think Larkin would be a great add for a lot of teams. For the Devs, he could slot into 2C and shift Jack to the wing. I think that worked pretty well for the Olympics. The cost and the salary cap restraints would be more challenging. Sunny may like Larkin’s analytics and speed profile, but I trust he would keep the package reasonable, if he is interested at all.
Just hoping this and the Helly story comes to an end soon.
Larkin should go in a three team trade with Carolina and Calgary.
Carolina gets Larkin, plus Edvinsson on a sizeable bridge deal.
Calgary gets Nikishin on a shiny new long term deal, and Kotkaniemi (assuming they’re not on his NTC), plus one of CAR’s third rounders.
Detroit gets Morgan Frost, Carolina’s first rounder, the Dallas first rounder, and a prospect of DET’s choosing.
FC: There’s a fatal flaw in your proposal. Nikishin might not want to sign with the Flames. That’s been one reason why the Hurricanes have had difficulty moving him. He has to agree to sign with the team he’s being traded to.
Very true, Lyle. He reportedly wants big money and a big role. CGY can promise that as a top line duo of him and Nemec or Bahl. Add in Whitecloud and that’s an interesting D corp to rebuild around.
Wings have the 2 best players in any deal. Larkin would of been dealt if any of the 3 teams on his original list had anything even 2nd line ready
This might drag even longer.
It’s worth noting that Larkin played left wing during his rookie year and was an all-star.
Lyle, he reportedly wants a big paycheck and a big role. CGY can offer that. A D corp of Nikishin, Nemec, Bahl, and Whitecloud could be really interesting to rebuild around.