Shawn Horcoff says the Red Wings won't settle on a Dylan Larkin trade, even as Detroit heads to Tampa Bay tonight on a five-game losing streak.
It has been two weeks since the former captain stepped away from the only organization he has known. The interim GM's stance hasn't moved an inch in that time.
"Ideally, we get something that works for both sides, right?" Horcoff told Nick Cotsonika at the GM meetings in Toronto. "But it has to be something that helps this team."
Larkin was suspended without pay for failure to report on Oct. 29, and many assumed his 10-team trade list would grow to get a deal done. No teams have been added.
Elliotte Friedman had expected an update to the list and was surprised that Larkin and his representatives wouldn't make one. Darren Dreger reported that Larkin and agent Pat Brisson believe Detroit has already been given fair offers, which explains why the list stays put.
The market isn't quiet. Bruce Garrioch reported that the Sharks and Hurricanes are among the teams making a hard push, and we covered Dylan Larkin's trade push from the Sharks and Hurricanes on Friday.
Minnesota is the other name in the chatter. The speculation is that Wild GM Bill Guerin's best offer is built around Danila Yurov, Charlie Stramel and/or picks. Yurov has 7 goals in 21 games this season, and Stramel hasn't played an NHL game.
Is time on Detroit's side in the Larkin trade?
Not on the ice. The Red Wings are 7-10-3, 26th in the NHL and eighth in the Atlantic Division, and Thursday's 5-4 loss at Florida was their fifth straight defeat.
Still, we think Horcoff is right to hold out. Larkin is 30, has 649 points in 818 career games, and carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31. A package of mid-level prospects and picks for a player with that résumé would be a poor return.
The trade list remains the real obstacle. Until it widens or a team on it makes a better offer, the Wild-style package is the best thing on the table, and Horcoff has made clear he doesn't want it.
Detroit has a second standoff running at the same time. Elliotte Friedman said Friday night that defenseman Simon Edvinsson is ready to play in Sweden if the situation runs past December 1, as we noted in Simon Edvinsson's Sweden backup plan. He is listed on injured reserve with a contract dispute, out indefinitely.
American Thanksgiving is the unofficial checkpoint for contenders and pretenders. With the Red Wings far from the top of the standings, Horcoff will be asked more and more what he is waiting for.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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