The Minnesota Wild want Dylan Larkin, and Larkin wants to play in St. Paul. Detroit Red Wings’ general manager Steve Yzerman had Larkin submit his list of teams he wants the Red Wings to trade him to, and he chose the Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Florida Panthers. However, Yzerman wants a longer list to maximize the value of a trade involving Larkin. 

However, there’s one problem keeping the Wild from going all in on Larkin. General manager Bill Guerin would have to part ways with Jesper Wallstedt. That’s difficult for the Wild, given Filip Gustavsson is having offseason hip surgery. However, we’ve seen that he had no qualms about offering Wallstedt for Robert Thomas at the trade deadline. However, that was when Wallstedt wasn’t playing at his best. 

Once the trade deadline passed, Wallstedt went on a tear and earned the starting job in the playoffs over Gustavsson. However, after the season, Gustavsson confirmed that he was playing with a hip that needed surgery. 

Let’s say that Guerin decides to trade Wallstedt if Detroit includes goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa. Will Cossa be ready to step in immediately? 

The Wild would likely need to sign a third goalie regardless of the situation. Gustavsson likely won’t be ready at the start of the season, and the Edmonton Oilers are reportedly in on Cossa. So it sounds like Guerin rightfully rejected moving Wallstedt. 

Yzerman doesn’t care about Larkin’s connection to Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber. He doesn’t care that he won a gold medal with them. Yzerman wants a core piece for Larkin, which is understandable. Yzerman could use a first-round pick, but he’s looking for established talent for Larkin. 

Detroit nearly made the playoffs, so Yzerman would want to build on that rather than go into a rebuild. Wings fans are tired of hearing the word “rebuild” and are running out of patience with Yzerman. Trading Larkin is a make-or-break move for him. 

The Anaheim Ducks are the perfect third-party for this trade. The Ducks are an up-and-coming powerhouse who Vegas eliminated in the semifinals. Ducks fans are excited for the next decade after missing the playoffs for seven seasons. 

Why would the Wild involve the Ducks?

Anaheim is looking to move on from Mason McTavish. Why are they looking to move on from him after extending him? Because they have two budding stars in Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. Both of them are due for new deals. The Ducks may also extend Jacob Trouba and John Carlsson because they are trying to remain competitive. 

That creates a perfect situation for Guerin and Yzerman. Ducks’ general manager Pat Verbeek is looking to create cap space after moving McTavish. So it looks like the Ducks are targeting players on entry-level contracts (ELCs), but they need to be ELCs who can contribute immediately. The Wild have the players on ELCs to make this trade work for the Ducks. 

To Detroit: Mason McTavish, 2027 1st round pick, Bobby Brink, and David Spacek 

Why would Yzerman say yes?

McTavish is only 23 years old with room to grow. McTavish is a power forward who crashes the net at any given opportunity. He has already scored 20 goals in a season (22 in 2024-25). He’d be someone considered top-6 ready. McTavish is Anaheim’s version of Joel Eriksson Ek. 

When Eriksson Ek was 23 years old, he scored 66 points in 210 games (0.31 points per game). McTavish has scored 181 points in 304 games (0.60 points per game). McTavish has a potential bargain contract at $7 million AAV through 2031. He will be 28 and likely will be in his prime. Spacek gets a fresh start with the Wings. 

Why would Yzerman say no?

Much like Eriksson Ek, McTavish hasn’t played 80 games since the 2022-23 season. McTavish has injury problems that may steer Yzerman away from trading for McTavish. The Wild’s 2027 1st round pick gives Yzerman two 1st round picks in 2027. So he may consider that.

Yzerman can also choose to wait for a better return for a slightly older player with more scoring upside. Or Yzerman would want someone without an injury history. If McTavish didn’t have an injury history, Yzerman would wholeheartedly consider McTavish. 

Brink may also not be enough to get the deal done for Yzerman. 

To Minnesota: Dylan Larkin, Nikita Nesterenko, and Anton Johansson

Why would Guerin say yes?

Guerin gets Larkin and reunites him with Hughes, Boldy, and Faber. Nesterenko also reunites with the Wild, who took him in the sixth round of the 2019 draft, and Boldy. Nesterenko never played an NHL game for the Wild, but he played with Boldy at Boston College. 

Nesterenko likely plays on the Wild’s third line next to Michael McCarron. He could be a stopgap for Riley Heidt as a pending UFA, and the Wild get to keep Wallstedt! 

Johansson looks like Jared Spurgeon‘s replacement. According to Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom, Johansson has promise. He’s close to being NHL-ready, whereas Spurgeon is the perfect stopgap until he’s ready. 

Johansson isn’t like David Jiricek, who the Wild traded for to take over for Spurgeon. Johansson is growing into his 6-foot-4 frame, is physical, and can quarterback a power play. He’s a diamond in the rough and a better fit for the top-four over Spacek. 

Why would Guerin say no?

Guerin might not want to bring in a third party to get Larkin because he’ll have to give up more assets. Guerin may also be convinced that Wallstedt is so talented he’s untradeable, even though he’ll still trade him. He might trade Wallstedt and bring in a free agent like Sergei Bobrovsky, who has winning experience.

To Anaheim: Danila Yurov, Charlie Stramel, and Ryan Hartman

Why would Verbeek say yes?

In this scenario, the Ducks are trading for Stramel to replace McTavish. Stramel can play behind Carlsson and Gauthier. He’s a cheaper investment than McTavish. Verbeek also adds Yurov, a talented young player who’s better off at wing at this point. Perhaps Yurov can develop into a player like Pavel Dorofeyev? 

Hartman is likely on the move as well. At this point, he’s a winger. However, the Ducks can use him as a top-six player when injuries occur. He’s ideally on their third line. He’s a veteran who offers presence and versatility and is a pending UFA.

Why would Verbeek say no?

The Ducks may not want to keep Hartman on an expiring contract if he chooses to walk in free agency. Hartman also has a modified no-trade clause, which might put Anaheim on his no-trade list. 

However, as the Ducks progress toward contention, Hartman may consider playing in Anaheim. Perhaps Hartman chooses Detroit because of Patrick Kane? Brink goes to Anaheim. Now the Ducks can extend Brink, 24, who’s younger than Hartman, 31. 

If the Ducks reject being the third party, at least this gives Guerin a blueprint on how to pursue Larkin without giving up Wallstedt. 

Could the Wild involve the New York Islanders, where the Wings get Mathew Barzal? The Wild still get Larkin. The goal for Guerin is not to move Wallstedt unless you’re getting Auston Matthews or Jack Hughes. The Wild want to avoid becoming another version of the Oilers, where they need stable goaltending.