The Detroit Red Wings want a center in return if they trade captain Dylan Larkin, according to Detroit Free Press reporter Helene St. James.
Speaking on The Jason Gregor Show, St. James said the Red Wings’ priority in any potential deal would be bringing back a center.
“They want a center back; that’s what they need; and already before this they were looking for a scoring winger.”
St. James made the comments after reports that Larkin had requested a trade. If Detroit decides to move its captain, she believes the team will want to address its need at center first.
She added that Detroit is also looking for a scoring winger, a position the club had been trying to strengthen even before Larkin’s trade request surfaced.
Detroit finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 41-31-10 record and 92 points, placing sixth in the Atlantic Division. The Red Wings missed the playoffs for a 10th straight year after being eliminated from contention with a 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on April 11.
Detroit was in playoff position earlier in the season before injuries to Larkin and Andrew Copp contributed to its late-season slide.
Larkin is under contract through the 2030-31 season after signing an eight-year, $69.6 million extension with Detroit. The deal carries an average annual value of $8.7 million and includes a full no-movement clause.
Mo Seider could replace Dylan Larkin as Red Wings captain
Moritz Seider could become Detroit’s next captain even if Dylan Larkin remains with the organization. Speaking on Oilers Now, Detroit Red Wings writer Ansar Khan said he wouldn’t be surprised if that happened.
“Mo Seider will be the next captain, I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens even if Dylan Larkin comes back.”
Larkin requested a trade earlier this summer, but then-general manager Steve Yzerman said in July he could not guarantee that the Red Wings would grant the captain’s request. Since Yzerman’s departure, there has been no indication of how Detroit plans to handle the situation.
Reports have also linked Larkin with several teams after he submitted a list of preferred trade destinations. The Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars are among the teams he is reportedly willing to join.
Larkin finished the 2025-26 season with career highs of 34 goals and 33 assists for 67 points in 74 games.
Edited by Sonali Verma