Detroit Red Wings Prepare for Trade Activity

The Detroit Red Wings will not have a first-round pick in the upcoming NHL draft, having traded it away at the deadline to strengthen their defense. General manager Steve Yzerman will have to get creative if he wants to make a splash, and a potential trade involving Dylan Larkin could be the key. Larkin, who has a no-trade clause, has reportedly requested a trade, with the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights initially on his list of preferred destinations. And with the NHL draft just around the corner, the Wings could see some movement on the trade front. Dylan Larkin is an attractive asset, with five years left on a contract that carries an annual average value of $8.7 million, and he has reached the 30-goal plateau five straight seasons. But Yzerman is not obligated to fulfill Larkin's wish, and a trade would need to bring back significant value, particularly a top-line center. The Wings are thin down the middle, with Andrew Copp, J.T. Compher, Marco Kasper, and Michael Rasmussen on the depth chart. So the team will be looking for value-now players in any potential trade, whether it's directly with one team or via a multi-team swap. The NHL draft always seems to bring some trade news, and this year could be no exception, especially with the proximity to free agency, which begins July 1. Larkin turns 30 on July 30, and his contract is relatively reasonable, especially considering the cap will increase to $104 million next season. The Wings have picks at Nos. 47, 79, 143, 175, 196, and 207 on June 27, but it's unlikely they'll make a big splash in the draft without a first-round pick. Instead, they'll have to rely on Yzerman's negotiating skills to bring in some talent. The team's lack of depth at center makes a Larkin trade tricky, but it's also what makes him such an attractive asset to potential suitors. As the draft approaches, the Wings will be looking to shore up their roster, and a Larkin trade could be the key to doing just that. With the draft decentralized for the second straight year, team executives and scouts will be operating from their home cities, but that won't stop the trade talk from heating up. The Wings will be looking to make some noise, and a Larkin trade could be the catalyst. The actual total salary of Larkin's contract is $38.6 million, an average of $7.72 million, which is a steal considering his production on the ice. The actually salary is front-loaded, which makes the contract even more attractive to potential suitors.