The Florida Panthers, fresh off missing the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs just two years after winning back-to-back titles, are making it clear they don’t plan to stay quiet for long. According to multiple reports, the Panthers have submitted a trade offer for Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin — a player who has reportedly requested a move out of Hockeytown.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman revealed on The Fan Hockey Show that Florida has made a formal proposal to acquire Larkin, though details of the offer remain under wraps. The Panthers are just one of several teams in the mix. Larkin, per The Fourth Period, has given Detroit a list of three preferred destinations: Florida, Vegas, and Minnesota. Other clubs, including Dallas and Utah, are believed to still be in play as well.
What makes this situation particularly intriguing is the timing. Larkin has spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings, debuting in 2015 and never playing a single playoff game in Detroit. The Red Wings haven’t sniffed the postseason since 2016 — Larkin’s rookie year. After more than a decade of waiting, it’s no surprise the 29-year-old wants out.
Larkin’s numbers back up the buzz. In the 2025-26 season, he posted 34 goals and 67 points — a spark-plug offensive performance for a struggling Detroit squad. Over 808 career games, he’s racked up 643 points. He brings not just skill, but veteran leadership to any locker room.
For Florida, the fit is obvious. The Panthers stumbled hard last season after winning the Cup in 2024 and 2025. Adding a top-line center like Larkin could reignite their attack. The team holds the ninth overall pick in this month’s NHL Draft, and reports suggest they may package that pick with other assets to seal a deal.
The question now: will Detroit actually move its longtime captain? The Red Wings have not confirmed any trade request, and no deal is imminent. But with multiple suitors circling and Larkin’s frustrations mounting, this could be the offseason that finally breaks the stalemate.
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