Dylan Larkin trade buzz with the Detroit Red Wings just cooled off, according to insider Chris Johnston.
Johnston said on his podcast that adding Dallas to the mix might take more than reported, and admitted he wouldn't be surprised if Larkin is still a Red Wing come September.
Larkin, still 29, put up 67 points in 74 games this season for Detroit, including 34 goals and a plus-3 rating.
He's been productive lately too, posting 11 points over his last 10 games as speculation around his future kept building all summer.
Detroit finished 41-31-10 for 92 points this season, 16th overall, a respectable year that gives the Wings real leverage in any conversation.
Johnston didn't hedge on the podcast, floating a real chance this entire saga stretches all the way into camp with no resolution.
-
Why Larkin could stay a Red Wing into training camp
Dallas closed the season 50-20-12 for 112 points, third overall, exactly the kind of team looking to add rather than sell at this point in the summer.
Larkin carries an $8,700,000 cap hit, and any real trade would need Dallas to clear significant term or money to make the numbers work.
Analyst JFresh already argued Wings fans need to accept a smaller return than names like Gauthier or Boldy, and Johnston's comments only reinforce how far off consensus this trade really is.
Detroit's front office has shown no urgency to move Larkin at a discount, which lines up exactly with what Johnston is describing here.
A summer without a resolution helps nobody, but if the price gap is really this wide, Detroit holding onto Larkin into training camp starts looking more likely by the day.
Nothing is closer to happening today than it was last week. September could arrive with Larkin exactly where he started.
Do you think Dylan Larkin will still be a Red Wing come September?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Fresh Elias Pettersson news out of Vancouver has fans asking how it got this bad
