Are the New York Rangers A Destination For Red Wings' Dylan Larkin?

 

Dylan Larkin has started his postseason with unintended controversy. 

The losing culture of the Detroit Red Wings has led to Larkin requesting a trade out of Hockeytown. The "Yzerplan" has failed. 

With a potential move out of Detroit, you have to wonder where his next landing spot would be, as we've heard that the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild were on his short list of destinations. 

But one team we hadn't heard he was interested in, but has another teammate from Team USA's recent gold-medal win in Italy, is the New York Rangers. 

The Rangers roster includes Vincent Trocheck, a former 70-point forward, and one of their reliable producers in a lineup that has been worn down through attrition. 

After Artemi Panarin requested a trade out of New York and was sent to the LA Kings, things haven't looked so great. Under new head coach Mike Sullivan, they continued their struggles and finished 8th in the Metropolitan Division. 

While he seems poised to join his teammates from the Olympics by means of forcing a trade, would he sign off on a trade to the Big Apple?

According to The Athletic's Vince Mercogliano, they aren't on his list of destinations. Thanks in no part to how GM Chris Drury has continued to blow up the former President's Trophy-winning team from 2023-24. 

"I heard pretty early on that the Rangers aren't a team that [Larkin] views as desirable right now. They don't check the winning box enough. It's probably not a destination at this stage that he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to." #NYR https://t.co/M4XYsKLTcd

— Phil Kocher (@PhilKocher) June 12, 2026

Larkin's shortlist, consisting of three teams, hasn't helped his cause in the eyes of the fans and media. This is despiteLarkin giving the first ten years of his career to Detroit, and only having played five total playoff games. 

It seems that for the time being, until Larkin gives Steve Yzerman a substantial list of destinations, he'll continue to wear the winged wheel against his own will.

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images