Would a trade for Dylan Larkin be worth it for the Devils?

Dylan Larkin is a player whose name has been swirling around in rumors lately. After demanding a trade and refusing to play, Larkin was suspended by the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. The organization is now looking to trade him, and many Devils fans have expressed interest in the former captain.

Larkin would bring a lot of experience to the Devils. He has just over 10 years in the NHL, most of it as a certified star. That veteran presence would benefit the depth the Devils have built into their roster. With newer players like Arseny Gritsyuk and Luke Hughes in the midst of breakout seasons, additional leadership could help change the games of some of the less experienced players.

He could also bring star player talent to the team. In his last few NHL seasons, he's proven to be a consistent 30-goal scorer. He has scored over 30 goals in 6 of his previous seasons. He also puts up a noticeable amount of assists each year. The Devils rely on the depth of the roster for scoring, and the addition of another consistent and strong point producer could put the team over the top.

Larkin is also an all-around hockey player. He is incredibly experienced, having played at many levels, including playing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. He recorded three points in the Olympics, netting two goals and one assist.

Larkin also comes with leadership experience. Adding more leadership to a roster full of players having breakout seasons could potentially raise the game of the entire team to the next level.

The addition of a player like Dylan Larkin could become problematic for a team like the Devils.

The Devils have their leadership, with Jesper Bratt recently earning the second alternate captaincy. The Devils have a leader in Nico Hischier, who has demonstrated consistent and undying loyalty to his team. Bringing in a player who might be looking for a leadership spot on the team could shake up the order that has been established.

The cost of a player like Larkin is not cheap. Detroit is looking to get their money's worth from a trade, and with Larkin's suspension, they are in no rush to move along this process. Fan-proposed trades see the Devils losing key pieces in their top lines.

Other writers have questioned whether or not the Devils even have the pieces to trade for Larkin. Detroit is reportedly looking for a young center. They are likely looking to avoid another rebuild, and can be expected to invest in NHL-ready players over future draft picks. Names that have been thrown around as a possible trade package include Timo Meier, Brenden Dillon, Cody Glass, Anthony Mantha, and Stefan Noesen. There is also concern about how a player like Larkin would fit in the remaining cap space, especially after the Hellebuyck deal.

The split between Larkin and his previous team was not amicable, and Larkin is now a player who comes with drama. Many cite the poor management of Detroit for Larkin's departure, and other writers have discussed the situation further. However justified that might have been, Larkin made the process of leaving messy. Pete Blackburn detailed why Detroit fans would be upset with their former captain. His handling of the situation left a bad taste in the mouths of many hockey fans, and he is now a controversial player, for better or for worse.

Some are also concerned about Larkin's age. Larkin is 30 years old. The average age of retirement in the NHL sits around 28. Players can still be successful after this age, as we've seen with all-around talents like Alexander Ovechkin, but many are concerned that Larkin's success isn't repeatable long-term.

Overall, adding a player like Larkin could make waves in the Devils organization, but it's hard to say whether they would be positive or whether he would be skating on thin ice.

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