Let's state the obvious up front: The Buffalo Sabres remain a long shot to land Dylan Larkin. The Detroit Red Wings center, who was suspended Thursday after opting to step away from the team while awaiting a trade, still hasn't added Buffalo to his list of approved destinations.
Yet, the buzz continues to build about the Sabres preparing to strike if Larkin changes his mind.
Chad DeDominicis of Expected Buffalo was the first to report Buffalo and Detroit "have had conversations" about the three-time All-Star and several NHL insiders, including Elliotte Friedman, have since confirmed the Sabres' interest.
Larkin has already increased the size of his trade list twice and, if the situation continues to drag on while he's sitting at home, it wouldn't be a surprise if he adds a few more teams.
Buffalo's trade offer would likely include an NHL center (Josh Norris or Ryan McLeod), a top prospect (Radim Mrtka) and multiple picks, including its first-round selection in the 2027 NHL Draft. It may even require a second roster player, too.
If Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen ultimately convinces Larkin to consider making Western New York his home, it'd fill his team's most pressing need in the middle of the top line.
Here's how the Blue and Gold's forward lines could look using Norris as the departing center:
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Zach Benson | Dylan Larkin | Tage Thompson |
Jiri Kulich | Noah Ostlund | Jack Quinn |
Jason Zucker | Konsta Helenius | Josh Doan |
Peyton Krebs | Ryan McLeod | Beck Malenstyn |
Everything falls together so much better with this alignment.
Tage Thompson, who's typically operated as the first-line center out of necessity, would likely enjoy more all-around effectiveness on the wing. It'd decrease his defensive responsibilities and reduce the impact of his poor faceoff numbers, an area where Larkin excels.
It also takes pressure off young forwards like Konsta Helenius and Jiri Kulich, who've been called on the play a top-line role with mixed results during the Sabres' 6-4-3 start to the campaign.
Buffalo would also have the option to place Peyton Krebs, who's found ample success playing alongside Thompson, atop the lineup card. That'd give head coach Lindy Ruff the ability to reunite Zach Benson, Noah Ostlund and Jack Quinn, the club's most effective line so far.
So, Larkin's arrival would leave the Sabres with ample flexibility but also eliminate the lineup's most obvious void over the past five years.
Sure, it's a pipe dream, but it's an exciting one nevertheless.
Sabres offense could use a boost amid sluggish start to 2026-27
Buffalo scored seven goals in Thursday night's wild win over the Anaheim Ducks but, even with the benefit of that breakthrough outing, it still ranks 17th in goals per game (3.08). That's a substantial dip from when the team finished fifth in that category last season (3.45).
The Sabres have been overly reliant on the Benson, Ostlund and Quinn line or a moment of brilliance from Thompson, who'd been inconsistent before Thursday's five-point explosion.
Adding Larkin would give the franchise another offensive cornerstone.
The 30-year-old Michigan native, who played alongside Tage during Team USA's memorable run to a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, averaged 71 points in 75 games over the past five seasons. He's reached the 30-goal mark six times in his career.
Having a second proven scorer on the first line should create more space for Thompson, which would give him additional chances to use his booming slap shot, and both players would benefit from playing next to a puck-retrieving playmaker like Benson.
In the bigger picture, making a deal for Larkin would represent the type of all-in move Sabres fans have been waiting for since Kekalainen took over the front office last December.
The longtime NHL executive has tested the waters. He nearly landed St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko ahead of last season's trade deadline, made a push for Blues center Robert Thomas at the same time and also showed interest in Connor Hellebuyck, who was recently dealt to the New Jersey Devils.
Kekalainen will likely need to get one of those marquee deals across the finish line if Buffalo is ultimately going to emerge as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. The team's roster has a strong, youthful foundation, but more star power is necessary.
Larkin certainly fits the bill, and his track record suggests he could provide the spark the Sabres have been searching for offensively in recent weeks.
Buffalo wants Larkin, but does Larkin want Buffalo? We'll soon find out.
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