An NHL insider has pointed to Thanksgiving as a possible window for movement in the stalled Dylan Larkin trade situation with the Detroit Red Wings.
Larkin, the former captain, requested a trade over the summer. The team suspended him without pay on Oct. 29 after he told the organization he would no longer play for Detroit.
David Pagnotta said during a Nov. 4 appearance on Daily Faceoff LIVE that he had been given a specific timeframe.
“I was given this until U.S. Thanksgiving before somebody budges, be it [Larkin] or the Wings’ side,” Pagnotta said.
The date is Nov. 26. Pagnotta has indicated neither side has shown much willingness to compromise so far, leaving other teams waiting.
He also offered a more detailed view of how long the standoff might last.
“My timeline is – this goes to Thanksgiving. I’d be a little bit surprised if it goes that long, but I think that’s the point where one side’s going to start to budge,” Pagnotta said.
Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has made clear the Red Wings are not in a rush to move their top center.
“I’m prepared to wait as long as necessary to make sure that the return that we get is something that is good for the Red Wings overall,” Horcoff said.
Larkin is a six-time 30-goal scorer. He is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $69.6 million contract that carries an $8.7 million average annual value against the salary cap.
His full no-trade clause remains a major obstacle. Larkin has expanded his list of acceptable destinations to 10 teams, but Detroit has said it has exhausted options within that group and would prefer to talk to additional clubs.
The Red Wings entered Friday with a 7-7-3 record and 17 points, placing them at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. They had scored 49 goals and allowed 52 through 17 games.
Larkin had two goals and four assists in 10 games before the suspension, averaging 21:41 of ice time.
The situation is further complicated by the contract status of restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson. He faces a Dec. 1 deadline to sign in order to remain eligible to play this season.
Pagnotta has noted that a breakthrough could come in the coming weeks, though nothing is guaranteed. Interested clubs remain on the sidelines while both sides hold firm.
Teams such as the Minnesota Wild have made multiple offers, according to previous reporting, but Detroit has not found a package that meets its standards for immediate and long-term help.
Horcoff has said fitting Larkin’s salary onto another roster while securing the right return creates significant challenges. Expanding the trade list would likely help, but Larkin’s representatives have so far declined to do so beyond the current 10 teams.
The Red Wings continue to evaluate options as the season progresses. With the team struggling near the bottom of its division, clarity on Larkin’s future would provide direction for both the present roster and future planning.
Until one side moves, the standoff is expected to continue into late November.
