3 Red Wings Who Could Benefit Most From a Dylan Larkin Trade

Losing Dylan Larkin would create a massive hole for Detroit, but it would also create opportunity for some other Red Wings.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the Detroit Red Wings and that all starts with Dylan Larkin. On June 4, the captain made the team aware that he wanted to be traded and gave them a list of teams he would agree to.

He has five years left on his $69.9 million contract, but is likely unhappy with the team’s progress and lack of making the playoffs. In fact, it has been since the 2015-16 season that Detroit has seen the ice during the playoffs.

Larkin also reportedly had a strained relationship with the team’s management, and it reached the point that it couldn’t be repaired.

So, here we are. No trade has been made and nothing is really being reported that is imminent. Even with the departure of Steve Yzerman, Larkin still appears to want the trade. Now, just because he requested one, doesn’t mean the team will make it happen.

Trading their captain may or may not make the team better; no one can say, as the return is questionable. One thing may be true though, some players could benefit from Larkin’s exit.

Larkin has spent his entire career with the Red Wings and is a very important offensive player to the team. He scored 34 goals and finished the 2025-26 season with 67 points. He’s a top-line center who would be extremely difficult to replace.

If he leaves, there will be significant minutes and offensive opportunities available. Someone is going to have to step up and take these.

Here are three Red Wings who could see their roles significantly change if Larkin is wearing a different jersey this season.

Marco Kasper

Detroit Red Wings center Marco Kasper Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It’s possible that no one would have a bigger opportunity than Marco Kasper. He was selected at No. 8 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, and everyone expected that he would become an important piece for Detroit. He is now 22 years old and could be ready to step up if needed.

Looking at his statistics, Kasper did take a step back offensively last season. He finished with only nine goals and 19 points over 81 games. The season before, he produced 19 goals and 37 points.

Without Larkin, Detroit would have to rethink its hierarchy around the center.

Kasper could be in line to get more top-six minutes, along with being paired with better linemates. The most important thing to Kasper would be the opportunity he would have. Detroit would have incentive to see exactly what they have in their former first-round pick.

Andrew Copp

Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Don’t read too much into this. Copp is not going to replace Larkin’s offense, but he could take on a bigger role.

Copp matched Kasper last year with his nine goals but was around the net more for 43 points total across 79 games. He handled a middle-six role and helped on special teams.

Unless the team was able to work the trade to bring back another top-six center, the Red Wings would be without their No. 1. Detroit would look to established veterans to help take over and Copp should be in that conversation.

At 32, he’s not part of an up-and-coming crowd. He’s already there. His versatility would become more valuable in order to help facilitate such a big change down the middle.

Emmitt Finnie

Detroit Red Wings center Emmitt Finnie Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This former seventh-round pick has made a rapid climb through Detroit’s organization. Overall, he has shown enough talent to earn some more opportunities to play alongside the Red Wings’ most talented players.

If Larkin is, in fact, traded, it would put more pressure on the younger generation. Finnie should be one that the team looks to.

He appeared in 65 games last season, in which he recorded six goals and eight assists. No, those are not head-turning stats, but sometimes a player’s worth and upside are far more than the stats can tell.

More minutes, more consistent top-six opportunity, increased offensive responsibility - all would be available for Finnie to take advantage of.

Make no mistake, trading Larkin is going to create problems for the Red Wings. Not many fans want to see that happen. The overall sentiment favors the front office and Larkin working things out and moving forward. But, sometimes we don’t always get what we want and that goes both ways - for the fans and for Larkin.