Red Wings Changing Focus On Trade Return for Larkin and/or Edvinsson

The Detroit Red Wings have said all along that if they're going to trade Dylan Larkin, they want comparable NHL assets in return. Now with Simon Edvinsson entering trade talks as well, the team has had to reconfigure what it's looking to do with its roster and its future. 

To that end, insider Elliotte Friedman said on 32 Thoughts the podcast on Thursday that the Wings are changing their focus on what sort of trade return they're looking for. 

The one thing I think they are doing, and I've heard this a little bit, is they're starting to ask about young centers. And maybe even some guys who are top prospects that aren't in the NHL yet.

I did have a couple teams say to me, 'Do not be surprised if and when this logjam breaks if one or two of those is involved for Detroit if they can'. I just think I've heard that some of the teams they're talking to, that is what they're asking about. 'How would you feel about X—either young center that you have now, or young center that is part of your prospect pool?'

As Friedman notes, the Red Wings were building this team figuring that Larkin and Edvinsson were going to be cornerstones of their franchise for years. But the realization that that is likely not going to be the case is starting to set in. So, "they're starting to lay their groundwork, I suppose, as they should, if this is the path that we're headed down for Detroit."

To be clear, GM Shawn Horcoff is still saying his goal is to re-sign the RFA, Edvinsson, but there are certainly plenty of trade talks ongoing as well. 

A Larkin deal could be on the horizon as he has expanded his approved team list to 10, according to reports this week.