Bruins Have the Trade Pieces to Land Larkin — But at What Cost?

Sources close to the situation are buzzing: Dylan Larkin, the longtime face of the Detroit Red Wings franchise, reportedly wants out. And if that rumor turns out to be true, the Boston Bruins could be the team to pull off a blockbuster trade that reshapes the Eastern Conference.

According to insiders, Larkin—who has scored 31 or more goals in five straight seasons—has grown tired of losing. The Red Wings haven’t sniffed the playoffs since his rookie year in 2015-16, and despite incremental improvement over the last two campaigns, Detroit reportedly failed to get over the hump when the pressure was highest. One anonymous league source told us, “He’s done. He wants a fresh start, and he wants to win. Now.”

While Larkin’s agent, Pat Brisson, hasn’t confirmed the trade request publicly, and general manager Steve Yzerman hasn’t commented, the hockey world is already connecting the dots. And the Bruins are a natural fit. Boston general manager Don Sweeney has to be listening closely—his team has a glaring hole at center that Larkin could fill immediately.

The Bruins’ Center Crisis Is Real

Not too long ago, Boston boasted two of the NHL’s elite pivots in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Both retired after the 2022-23 season, and the Bruins have been scrambling to replace them ever since. Last season, Boston surprised many by making the playoffs as a Wild Card team, finishing with 100 points and a 45-27-10 record under first-year head coach Marco Sturm. But their lack of depth down the middle was exposed in the first round, where the Bruins fell to the Buffalo Sabres in six games.

Pavel Zacha has performed admirably on the top line, but Elias Lindholm has been a major disappointment since signing his big contract. Insiders say Lindholm has failed to live up to expectations, and his $7.75 million cap hit for the next five seasons is looking like an albatross. Replacing him with Larkin—who carries an $8.7 million hit for five more years—would be a monumental upgrade. One hockey operations source told us, “If you swap Lindholm for Larkin, Boston instantly becomes a legitimate contender again.”

The tricky part? Moving Lindholm’s contract. Detroit reportedly has no interest in taking him unless Boston eats a significant chunk of his salary. That’s a painful negotiation Sweeney may have to navigate sooner than later.

Boston’s Offer Could Be Too Good to Refuse

If Yzerman is serious about moving Larkin, the Bruins reportedly have the assets to get a deal done. According to sources, Boston is willing to package defenseman Mason Lohrei, center Matthew Poitras, and a future first-round pick—possibly the 2028 selection they own from Toronto.

Lohrei, a 6-foot-5, 218-pound blue-liner from Ohio State, has shown flashes of offensive brilliance. He posted a career-high seven goals and 19 assists last season, and his plus-17 rating was a dramatic improvement over the previous year’s minus-43. But scouts have questioned his defensive game, especially in puck battles along the boards. “His size actually works against him sometimes,” one Eastern Conference scout told us. “He loses leverage against smaller, stronger forwards. But the upside is still there.”

Poitras, meanwhile, has been knocking on the NHL door since the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot, 189-pound center played 33 games as a 19-year-old before a shoulder injury cut his rookie campaign short. After spending most of last season in Providence, Poitras exploded for 13 goals and 31 assists in the AHL, showcasing the speed and quickness that could make him an impact player at the next level. Insiders say he has added significant strength over the past two years and is ready for a full-time NHL role.

A package of Lohrei, Poitras, and a high draft pick could be exactly what Detroit needs to kickstart a rebuild. One league insider described it as “the kind of offer that makes you think twice—especially if Larkin is dead set on leaving.”

For now, all eyes are on Yzerman and Sweeney. If Larkin’s trade demand is confirmed, the Bruins appear to be in the driver’s seat. And if Boston pulls this off? The rest of the Eastern Conference should be very, very nervous.