Abel to Yzerman

Abel to Yzerman

A2Y- What Is Known About Dylan Larkin's Contract Talks

02/07/2023 at 10:48am EST

from Emily Kaplan of ESPN,

At All-Star weekend, Dylan Larkin lamented what he said was misinformation about his contract talks. "It just seems people are fishing and speculating," Larkin said. "I don't really want my business out there. I understand we're in the spotlight and fans want to know. They deserve to know. But I think it's not really the most truthful, you know?"

As the captain of the Red Wings, Larkin doesn't want his situation to go public. He hates being a distraction to the team. He has handled the situation as well as he can, but it has to be frustrating. Because in talking to people close to Larkin, nobody really knows where this is going.

So without going into numbers, here's what I can tell you about the dynamics going on behind the scenes:

Big picture, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has a price in mind for what he's willing to pay for Larkin, and it's not in line with what some other No. 1 centers around the league are making. Yzerman is sticking to that number. Larkin's camp is arguing: What does it cost to replace Larkin? They feel strongly about his worth, and it's more than Yzerman has been willing to budge. So we're between a rock and a hard place.

The one thing I've heard consistently about Yzerman as a general manager is that he works slow. He grinds things out. He and Larkin's camp haven't talked in a few days. In that time, the Islanders offered Horvat the $8.5 million AAV. So when Larkin's reps and Yzerman reconnect -- likely sometime this week -- they'll see if that comp helps their case.

Ideally Yzerman wants to get this deal done before the March 3 deadline so he can plan other moves -- and also ensure his 26-year-old captain doesn't walk away this summer for nothing. Larkin has full control here with a no-trade clause in his deal. As of now, Larkin doesn't have an appetite for moving, either at the deadline or this summer. He's a hometown kid who has played his entire life in the state of Michigan. He takes pride in leading Detroit. But it's becoming apparent other teams might be willing to give him more money on the open market. And if there isn't progress, his agent can talk to other teams and broker a deal to where Larkin wants to go. But they are hopeful it doesn't get to that. Based on how things are going, there's a very good chance this doesn't get resolved until the summer.

more players and talk...

rwbill

Well, it will work out one way or the other.

Wingding

Larks isn't really a 1C, but he is also all we have. There is noone on the horizon to replace him.

rwbillWingding

True true, Certainly not a mega star in the NHL, but still can be an effective team Captain.  This does highlight that the Wings need more and higher end talent.

RedMenace

Based on how things are going, there's a very good chance this doesn't get resolved until the summer.


Based on how things are going according to whom? Rumor mongers hunting for clicks? "Insiders?" Or has there been some communication from the team or Larkin's camp that somehow literally everyone missed?


Yeah, that's what I thought.

Chet

So sick of hearing about this. Let me know when hes moved or signed and until then, who gives a shit? Enough already. The NHL news cycle is so goddamn boring. Tell me more about these pulse pounding third pairing D trades between SJ and Seattle. So much hockey media is just invented storylines and its all so repetitive. Every outlet and podcast was and some even still are talking about Horvat. Its kind of pathetic if you think about it. All this ink spilled over the dumbass NHL. Good lord.

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Abel to Yzerman

Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that.

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry NHL Short Notes - 1 hour ago
Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry NHL Short Notes - 1 hour ago
Comment by Steeb in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Quick Recap- Wings/Hurricanes - 1 hour ago
Comment by calquake in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Quick Recap- Wings/Hurricanes - 2 hours ago
Comment by StargateSG1 in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Quick Recap- Wings/Hurricanes - 2 hours ago