It is now more than one week since Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. Larkin has a no-trade clause in his contract, which allows him to choose where he gets traded. Reportedly, among the teams that Larkin would allow the Red Wings to trade him to is the Utah Mammoth. However, even with how valuable a superstar like Larkin is, should the Mammoth really consider trading one of their top prospects?
Caleb Desnoyers has amazing potential
Among the top names that many have speculated could be what the Red Wings get in return for Larkin is Caleb Desnoyers. Desnoyers was selected 4th overall by the Mammoth in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, and has quickly become a top prospect in the organization. Desnoyers is only second to Tij Iginla, who is possibly untouchable for the Mammoth in the event of a big trade.
Desnoyers has put up some pretty good offensive stats in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats in three seasons there:
2023-24: 60 GP, 20 G, 36 A, 56 PTS, 2 +/-
2024-25: 56 GP, 35 G, 49 A, 84 PTS, 51 +/-
2025-26: 45 GP, 22 G, 56 A, 78 PTS, 36 +/-
Desnoyers hasn't been as good offensively as Iginla has been in the WHL, but the 19-year-old has shown some significant improvement over those three seasons. In addition to this, Desnoyers has good size (6'2), with the potential of adding more muscle and shows resilience, making Desnoyers a top prospect that shouldn't be undervalued.
The Mammoth shouldn't be quick to trade their top prospects
Both Iginla and Desnoyers are very valuable and should be safe-guarded by Utah. Ultimately, it might be impossible to hang on to both players in a deal that involves Larkin, and especially if a trade could involve more than just Larkin. However, both players are potential superstars, and it might be better to have no Larkin than to trade away one of the teams best prospects in either Iginla or Desnoyers.
Both Iginla and Desnoyers have put up really good numbers and are both just 19-years-old. Despite the fact that Larkin is a good and consistent player- with five straight 30 goal seasons and some valuable defense in addition, he isn't worth it. Both Desnoyers and Iginla shouldn't be traded for a player who is about to be 30, regardless of what he could add. Larkin most certainly isn't going to cheap for anyone, but giving up a 19 year old super prospect for Larkin seems reckless.
With that being said, Desnoyers, and especially Iginla, shouldn't be traded, even if that meant that Larkin isn't going to be a Mammoth. The team needs to consider the future, especially with the youth that Utah has. It really wouldn't make much sense at all for a 19-year-old mega-prospect to be traded even for a player like Dylan Larkin. The Mammoth should definitely try to hold on to Desnoyers and Iginla.
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