New Jersey Devils: 5 Under-the-Radar Trade Targets
By Nick Villano
Dylan Larkin – Detroit Red Wings
This one is an interesting one. Dylan Larkin hasn’t been in trade rumors despite being on a team that’s far from playoff contention, and he’s on the final year of his contract. On the other side, the Red Wings are technically only six points out of the final Wild Card spot. Larkin says he wants to stay with the Red Wings long-term. The Red Wings want to be a team in contention, and teams in contention don’t trade their 26-year-old captain.
Larkin is still a great player. However, it sounds like he wants an insane contract. Reports say he’s already declined an eight-year, $64 million deal. Larkin is looking for $9 million per season. If the Devils are scared to give Meier or Jesper Bratt $9 million per season, why would they give Larkin that contract?
That makes this a little complicated, but if the Devils miss out on Meier, this is hardly a bad second banana. Larkin would be a perfect fit in the Devils system. He’s fast, plays decent defense, and he can be useful on different lines.
The other issue here is price. The Red Wings will ask for more than the Canucks got for Bo Horvat. Are the Devils willing to lose Alexander Holtz and a first-round pick for a rental? We know that’s not what Fitzgerald exactly wants. However, things may change if this is the best piece available.