Top 5 Landing Spots for Dylan Larkin

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has officially requested a trade from the organization, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. If completed, the move would mark the end of an 11-year tenure in Detroit.

Larkin, who will be 30 in July, has five years remaining on his contract worth $8.7 million a year.

The Red Wings captain has been to the playoffs once in his NHL career, appearing in his rookie season with the Detroit Red Wings in 2015-16.

Since then, the Red Wings have failed to make progress despite the development of two key talents, Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.

Larkin's age, position and contract make him one of the most attractive players potentially available this offseason. While a trade is far from guaranteed, several teams have both the motivation and the assets to pursue a deal. Here are five clubs that could be at the front of the line as the offseason approaches.

1. Minnesota Wild

One of the worst-kept secrets around the league is the Minnesota Wild's need for a true first-line centre. While Joel Eriksson Ek is an excellent two-way player, the Wild have lacked depth in the centre position, making Larkin an obvious choice.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin is already familiar with Larkin, having selected him to represent the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off and Milano Olympics earlier this year. That existing relationship could make Minnesota one of the first teams to pick up the phone if Larkin becomes available.

Acquiring a player of Larkin's calibre would not come cheap. A realistic package could include one of the goaltenders, Jesper Wallstedt or Filip Gustavsson, a first-round pick and top prospect Danila Yurov. Detroit would likely demand additional assets as well, given Larkin's status as a proven top-line centre under contract for several more seasons.

The Wild can afford Larkin's cap hit, but they would almost certainly need to create additional financial flexibility to make a deal work.

2. Montreal Canadiens

One of the biggest weaknesses on the current Montreal Canadiens roster is the lack of a true second-line centre. While Dylan Larkin has spent the majority of his career as a first-line centre, pairing him with Nick Suzuki would give Montreal one of the strongest centre duos in the NHL.

Adding Larkin would allow the Canadiens to spread their offensive talent more evenly throughout the lineup while creating matchup problems for opposing teams. During the playoffs, Suzuki's line was often tasked with carrying the offensive load and drawing the opposition's top defensive matchup. The addition of Larkin would help alleviate that burden, giving Montreal two legitimate scoring lines capable of driving play.

The Canadiens also possess the assets necessary to make a deal of this magnitude work. With a deep prospect pool, multiple young NHL players and draft capital, Montreal is one of the few teams capable of meeting Detroit's asking price without significantly weakening its current roster. The Canadiens will undoubtedly have both the motivation and the resources to put together a compelling offer this summer.

3. LA Kings

The Los Angeles Kings could also emerge as a logical destination for Dylan Larkin. With franchise legend Anze Kopitar officially retired, the Kings are in need of a long-term solution down the middle. Larkin would provide the Kings with a proven top-line centre capable of helping them remain in contention as they transition into the franchise's next era.

Whether Larkin is open to moving west is unclear, but Los Angeles typically seems like an attractive landing spot. The Kings have consistently been viewed as a desirable destination thanks to their market and weather, all while remaining somewhat competitive despite a lack of recent playoff success.

On the ice, Larkin would fit seamlessly into a roster that already features stars such as Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe. His speed and two-way game would give Los Angeles another dynamic offensive weapon and strengthen a forward group that is built to win now.

The biggest obstacle may be the salary cap. With significant money already committed to players such as Panarin and Kempe, the Kings would likely need to move out salary before taking on Larkin's contract. However, if Los Angeles is serious about maximizing its championship window, acquiring a player of Larkin's calibre could be well worth the cost.

4. Boston Bruins

Another team worth watching is the Boston Bruins. The Bruins are in desperate need of a true first-line centre, and have failed to fill that hole since the departure of Patrice Bergeron. Adding Dylan Larkin would immediately address that issue and give superstar winger David Pastrnak the high-end two-way centre that he has been missing.

With that said, the two teams being division rivals could complicate things, since it would help the Bruins more than the Red Wings.

Ultimately, the Bruins should have little trouble finding the cap space necessary to accommodate Larkin's contract, and they possess a few intriguing assets that could appeal to Detroit. However, the biggest question is whether Boston would be willing to meet what would undoubtedly be a significant asking price.

The Red Wings will certainly ask for top prospect James Hagens; however, the Bruins may not be so keen on moving him. Beyond him, however, it is reasonable to assume nearly every asset could be discussed. Defenseman Mason Lohrei, a first-round pick and multiple high-end prospects, would likely represent the bare minimum required to get Detroit's attention.

5. Philadelphia Flyers

One team that has received plenty of attention from fans as a potential landing spot for Dylan Larkin is the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers are still searching for a true first-line centre, and Larkin would immediately fill that void. Many fans have been intrigued by the possibility of a partnership between Larkin and Travis Konecny. The duo's speed, tenacity, and offensive skill would make them one of the more dangerous combinations in the Eastern Conference.

Acquiring Larkin would also take pressure off Trevor Zegras, who enjoyed a strong season and appeared far more comfortable when not tasked with carrying the responsibilities of a No. 1 centre. Rather than forcing Zegras into a role that may not be best suited to his strengths, Philadelphia could deploy him lower in the lineup or on the wing, creating far greater matchup problems for opposing teams.

Financially, the Flyers are in an excellent position to make a move of this magnitude. Philadelphia has significant cap space and the flexibility to absorb Larkin's contract without making major sacrifices elsewhere on the roster.

Just as importantly, adding Larkin would dramatically strengthen the Flyers' top six and accelerate their push toward contention. With a promising young core already in place, the addition of a proven top-line centre could be exactly what Philadelphia needs to take the next step

No matter where Larkin ends up, he will likely want to join a team capable of competing for a Stanley Cup, which is why each of these destinations makes sense.

For Detroit, moving its captain would require a massive return. The Red Wings will be looking for a package that not only reflects Larkin's value but also helps keep the team competitive moving forward.