Suggested Blockbuster Trade Sees Golden Knights Acquire Dylan Larkin From Red Wings – The Hockey Writers –

June 23rd, 2026 may go down as one of the most entertaining days in recent NHL history. Several huge trades were completed, including Simon Nemec being sent to the Calgary Flames, Bowen Byram being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, and William Eklund being moved to the Ottawa Senators, and the draft is still a couple of days away.

One name that remains on the board, despite having requested a trade a little while ago, is Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin.

While the expectation is that the Red Wings will continue to gauge the market for Larkin this offseason, they seem to be in no rush to move him. Larkin reportedly gave the Red Wings a list of teams that he’d be interested in joining, which included the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers, but another team that has emerged as a potential fit, that Larkin would also be interested in joining, is the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights are coming off of a strong 2025-26 campaign, but lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final. As they look to try and have another deep playoff run next season, them making a splash for Larkin makes perfect sense, but the asking price will be high.

In this article, we will take a quick look at what a potential trade between the Golden Knights and Red Wings involving Larkin could look like. Keep in mind, this deal is simply hypothetical. There are confirmed reports that Larkin would be open to joining the Golden Knights, but nothing indicates that the two sides have discussed a trade at this time.

Red Wings Land Solid Package, Golden Knights Add Larkin

Depending on who you ask, the value Larkin has varies. Some fans believe he is only worth a player and a mid-round pick, while some fans believe, with the current state of the NHL’s trade market, Larkin could fetch the Red Wings a monstrous trade return.

I went somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. Larkin is an elite player that can bring a lot to the table for a contending team, and after seeing how much teams are willing to pay to improve this offseason via trade, considering the pending weak free agent class, I think the Red Wings could get a solid return.

Theoretically, the Golden Knights acquire Larkin in exchange for Tomas Hertl, Trevor Connelly, and their first-round pick in 2028. The Red Wings get a first-round pick, which will be mandatory in any return for Larkin, as well as a top prospect, and a proven NHL forward.

Hertl has trade protection that could prevent him being moved to the Red Wings, but if he is open to being moved there, the Red Wings would be adding a solid offensive contributor. If they want to remain in contention, adding someone like him could keep them around the playoff picture.

In the 2025-26 season, Hertl scored 24 goals and aded 34 assists for 58 points through 82 games. Throughout his career, he has scored 276 goals and added 331 assists for 607 points through 873 games.

Connelly, who is 20 years old, might be ready to make the jump to the NHL next season. With the Henderson Silver Knights in the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, he scored 14 goals and added 35 assists for 49 points through 46 games.

Time will tell what the Red Wings end up getting in return for Larkin, but this deal makes sense for both teams. There have been rumblings that Hertl could be available, so moving him as part of a package for a star like Larkin makes a lot of sense. It’s hard to believe the Red Wings could get much better of a trade package from any other team, considering their lack of leverage, but we will see what happens.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news, updates, and more from around the NHL and the hockey world.