The hockey world has been buzzing for weeks with a tantalizing possibility: Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, reportedly fed up after a decade of playoff purgatory, linking up with his lifelong best friend, Columbus Blue Jackets star defenseman Zach Werenski. The storyline writes itself — two childhood teammates from Belle Tire, college roommates at Michigan, reunited in an attempt to drag a floundering franchise back to relevance.
But according to sources close to the situation, that dream scenario is reportedly dead on arrival. And the reason, insiders say, goes far deeper than simple trade logistics.
The Friendship Factor That Won’t Save Columbus
Larkin and Werenski’s bond is the stuff of hockey lore. They grew up dominating the Detroit Midget Minor program together, terrorized opponents as Belle Tire teammates, then shared a dorm room at the University of Michigan. They’ve worn the same sweater for Team USA on multiple occasions. For fans in Columbus, the idea of those two as the foundation of a new era felt almost inevitable.
But when Larkin — reportedly furious after the Red Wings missed the postseason for a tenth straight year — formally requested a trade and submitted a list of preferred destinations, Columbus wasn’t on it. According to a recent report from The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, the Blue Jackets aren’t just a long shot; they’re effectively out of the picture.
“That lack of postseason play in Detroit is said to be at the heart of Larkin’s frustration,” Portzline wrote. “Well, joining Columbus wouldn’t solve that chief issue.”
Larkin’s Shortlist Is a Gut Punch to Blue Jackets Fans
The three teams Larkin allegedly wants to play for — the Minnesota Wild, the Florida Panthers, and the Vegas Golden Knights — are all franchises that have either recently hoisted the Cup or are currently competing for one. The Golden Knights, as of this writing, are battling in the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers just completed a dynastic three-year run with two championships. The Wild made a respectable second-round appearance last spring.
Columbus, meanwhile, hasn’t sniffed the playoffs in six seasons. And one insider told us that Larkin’s camp views the Blue Jackets as a lateral move at best — a team with plenty of heart but no postseason pedigree.
Werenski’s Blunt Confession Only Makes It Worse
Adding fuel to the fire, Werenski himself admitted this week on NHL Network that winning has been an alien concept in Columbus.
“I haven’t had that much success in the playoffs here in the NHL, and I want that to change,” Werenski said. “Winning anything is fun. I’ve been reminded of that these last 12 months. I want more of that.”
Sources say that kind of raw honesty from a franchise cornerstone is exactly what Larkin’s camp is reportedly worried about. If Werenski — one of the team’s brightest stars — is openly yearning for a winning culture, what does that say about the organization’s ability to convince a superstar like Larkin to sign on?
The Clock Is Ticking on Both Men
With only two years remaining on Werenski’s current contract, the Blue Jackets are reportedly running out of runway to build anything sustainable. Larkin, at 28, is in his prime and wants to contend now. Columbus, according to multiple sources, is still years away from being a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.
So while the fantasy of a Larkin-Werenski reunion in Ohio will continue to dominate fan forums and talk radio, those in the know are reportedly already moving on. As one league executive put it to us: “This isn’t a trade rumor. It’s a pipe dream.”
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