The Panthers might actually have some trade chips that would interest the Red Wings.
But is Detroit going to have any interest in helping a divisional rival that also figures to be a Stanley Cup contender next season?
Aleksander Barkov is set to return, Anton Lundell is becoming more and more of a two-way force every year, and the addition of Larkin down the middle would give the Panthers a nearly unmatched center trio.
Detroit would almost certainly want Lundell, but there’s minimal chance Florida would actually part with him given his age, importance, two-way play, and the fact that his contract is a ridiculous value at only $5 million per season. There is no way Florida would see a 30-year-old Larkin as enough of an upgrade to make it part with Lundell.
But the No. 9 overall pick?
Forwards like Mackie Samoskevich or Eetu Luostarinen?
Maybe a veteran throw-in like Evan Rodrigues in the final year of his contract?
That might be the foundation of a suitable offer.
Florida gets: Dylan Larkin
Detroit gets: Mackie Samoskevich, Evan Rodrigues, No. 9 overall pick
The No. 9 pick is the obvious focal point, giving the Red Wings an opportunity to land a potential top prospect. Samoskevich is a solid young player who still has some untapped potential, while Rodrigues fills out some much-needed bottom-six depth and also clears out some salary cap space that would need to be moved out to fit in Larkin’s contract.
It would be a luxury move for Florida, but one that could put it over the top.
Detroit could get good value here, but it would have to contend with making its division even better and watching its former captain compete against it regularly over the next few years. The PR battle would be a nightmare, even if the on-ice result were a success.