Report: 2 Teams Pursuing Dylan Larkin Aren't On His Trade List
Johnston wrote in his updated NHL trade board, which ranks Larkin No. 1, that Larkin “may yet have to expand that list further to facilitate a deal that nets Detroit the right mix of assets in return.”
Why The List Is The Issue
Larkin has a full no-trade clause and started with a list of three preferred teams, then expanded it twice to 10, with the Panthers and Lightning among them.
Johnston said Larkin still wants out, and he said on the Hockey PDOcast on October 22 that his hunch is Larkin ends up with a team that isn’t currently on the list.
There's "still a feeling" that Dylan Larkin is going to end up with the Minnesota Wild, per @reporterchris. https://t.co/KCiHyigjzz
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) October 27, 2026
Larkin, now 30, is a three-time All-Star and a Michigan native, and his skating, two-way ability, and elite faceoff ability (53.4%), and five straight 30-goal seasons are reasons he remains attractive to other teams.
The Two Teams
Montreal has pitched Detroit on being added to Larkin’s trade list, but Larkin’s current list doesn’t include any Canadian teams, which has been the main hurdle for the Canadiens.
Buffalo is a division rival of both Montreal and Detroit, and it’s less clear why the Sabres haven’t made his list.
Darren Dreger: Re Dylan Larkin: What maybe needs to change...is that 10 team list...probably has to jump to 13 to 15 clubs; if it includes the Canadiens or the Bruins then I think the deal gets done pretty quickly; so far it doesn't appear Larkin is willing - First Up (10/26)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) October 27, 2026
Johnston didn’t say what either team has offered, and as of now, nothing indicates Larkin is considering expanding the list.
Larkin is still playing for Detroit while his trade request remains active, and he has two goals and six points over 10 games.
