The Dylan Larkin situation in Detroit got a bit more complicated last week when Larkin said he wouldn't play another game with a Red Wings jersey on. Now, he isn't being paid while the Red Wings have their best player just sitting out because they can't find a trade partner.
He is being shopped, and teams are going after him, but the Red Wings aren't going to give him up easily. It might be harder for Detroit to find a partner, with another situation arising in Tampa.
The Dylan Larkin story could drag on with Nikita Kucherov demanding a trade
On Friday night, superstar Nikita Kucherov said he wanted out of Tampa. Interesting, for sure, for a lot of teams. He is 33, but at the same time, he is on the same level as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and others.
While Tampa has already stated that it won't trade him, it would be extremely stupid to keep him in Tampa without extending his contract. Unless they extend him, the Lightning are keeping a massive asset and will lose him for literally nothing if he remains unsigned. This means that Kucherov could still very well be traded.
Why does this complicate the Larkin situation? Well, if a team like the Utah Mammoth hears that Kucherov could be on the trade market soon, then they could be way more interested in the former Hart Memorial Trophy winner. Why give up a ton for Larkin when you could potentially get Kucherov?
That's a question many teams will face now. That may not change some teams' resolve, but some general managers are certainly considering a potential sweepstakes for Kucherov. Larkin is good, but he isn't on Kucherov's level.
As a Mammoth fan, I can confidently say that interest in Larkin has toned down a bit now that Kucherov is a potential target. I can only wonder if some other guys are thinking the exact same thing. Like GMs.
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