Another name has been added to the trade bait board, and the Chicago Blackhawks should completely avoid getting hooked.
Elliotte Friedman reported that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade out of the Motor City. The 29-year-old played a major role in shaping the team as it headed into its rebuild under general manager Steve Yzerman. With the rebuild not going as well as intended, Larkin looks to pursue other options.
The reliable top-six centerman shouldn't even be an option for the Blackhawks heading into the offseason. A trade could be detrimental in Chicago's effort to wrap up the rebuild.
Larkin is way beyond Chicago's desired timeline
The Blackhawks entered a rebuild with one thing in mind: get younger. After parting ways with franchise pieces Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, they focused on drafting talented prospects and acquiring younger players. Over the course of its reconstruction, they have developed a handful of promising forward chips like Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, and Frank Nazar.
One things the Blackhawks struggled to find, however, were pieces to push their top youngsters to the next level. They find themselves near the top of most major trade rumors surrounding Jason Robertson, Matthew Knies, and Matt Barzal. With Larkin entering the market, some analysts point to the Windy City as a landing spot for him. Unfortunately, the timeline doesn't make sense for the talented center.
Drafted 15th overall in 2014, Larkin has spent the last 11 seasons with the Red Wings. Among those 11 seasons, Larkin has played in five playoff games, coming from his rookie campaign in the 2015-16 season. A player of his skill would typically have at least a few postseason appearances, but a weak Detroit squad limited his chances of raising the cup to almost zero. Carrying a no-trade clause on his contract, Larkin will have full control over where he'll end up.
It would be wise for the Blackhawks to pursue a big name to escape the basement of the league, but taking on a guy like Larkin is risky. He'll be 30 years old in just under two months, meaning when Chicago is projected to start competing, Larkin will be entering his mid-30s. The timeframe alone makes the move illogical for the Blackhawks.
Compared to Robertson, 26, and Knies, 23, Chicago would be able to retain them in their primes and still have a healthy number of more years to work with. The Blackhawks would have to find a replacement for Larkin when he decides to retire, which would align with their projected competing period. Knowing the sheer volume of talented youngsters in the league, it may be hard to find a comparable guy that's available right away.
That's not to say that Larkin would make the Blackhawks a better team if acquired. He's a heavily relied-upon two-way center for the Red Wings, averaging a 52.7 faceoff percentage throughout his career. His track record on offense as a consistent 30-goal scorer makes his possession even more attractive. Larkin's versatility on the puck is worth noting, as is his willingness to opt for the wing if needed. He'd be an extremely useful piece for Chicago's top six, providing scoring and solid defense.
Cap wouldn't be an issue for the Blackhawks. Larkin carries an $8.7 million cap hit, with five years remaining on his contract, set to expire when he's in his mid-30s. The Blackhawks possess over $40 million in projected cap space, per PuckPedia. After all the contract negotiations with its players, Chicago would have enough cash lying around to make a move.
However, the move is just too risky for the Blackhawks. His age doesn't fit the timeline for their team and could prompt problems in the team's contending years.
