Dylan Larkin, who initiated a trade request during the offseason with a list of three NHL teams, has expanded his group of preferred destinations to 10 clubs. The Buffalo Sabres are still absent.
ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported Tuesday that Larkin is willing to join the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Utah Mammoth, Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals.
So, why does Buffalo keep missing the cut every time Larkin increases Detroit's search area?
The Sabres are a young team trending toward eventual Stanley Cup contender status, and the arrival of a first-line center like the three-time All-Star could help accelerate the process.
Larkin isn't trying to avoid a move within the Atlantic Division since Florida and Tampa Bay are both on his updated list. He's not desperate to avoid high taxes because of New Jersey's presence. And Buffalo isn't in Canada, which seems like a red line for the 30-year-old forward.
The Sabres roster already features one of Larkin's Team USA teammates at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Tage Thompson and, if general manager Jarmo Kekalainen decides to really shake things up, it could soon add another in the form of Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
His expected role wouldn't be a question, either. The 6-foot-1 Michigan native would immediately slot in as the club's first-line center alongside Thompson and Josh Doan or Zach Benson.
Furthermore, while it does appear Larkin may prefer to avoid the U.S.' biggest markets (New York, Los Angeles or Chicago), Buffalo obviously isn't anywhere the top of that list.
The Sabres also have assets that could interest Detroit in potential trade talks, led by a couple NHL centers (Josh Norris and Ryan McLeod), a prized prospect (Radim Mrtka) and their first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
It seems like all of the puzzle pieces fit together quite nicely. That's why, despite it not being a shock Larkin didn't include Buffalo on his initial three-team list, it's a bit surprising he hasn't opted to add the Blue and Gold as he tries to seek an exit route from the Red Wings.
Perhaps his stance will finally change if the situation continues to linger awhile longer.
How the Sabres' forward lines could look with Dylan Larkin
Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff has been juggling his lines on a pretty regular basis through the season's first nine games. That's mostly because the team hasn't been clicking offensively like it was last year, though injuries have played a role.
The Sabres are trending in a healthier direction, including the expected return of Jason Zucker on Wednesday night, and a hypothetical trade for Larkin could bring some more lineup stability.
Here's how the reigning Atlantic Division champions could line up if that type of blockbuster deal ever materialized. Merely for the exercise, we'll use Norris as the departing center:
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Josh Doan | Dylan Larkin | Tage Thompson |
Zach Benson | Noah Ostlund | Jack Quinn |
Jason Zucker | Jiri Kulich | Konsta Helenius |
Peyton Krebs | Ryan McLeod | Beck Malenstyn |
That's a deep group capable of putting constant pressure on opponents, which was a hallmark of the Sabres last season when they reached the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Having a proven scorer like Larkin, who's reached the 30-goal plateau in five straight seasons, would also take some of the heavy burden off Thompson's shoulders in that department.
Ultimately, Buffalo must find a bona fide No. 1 center before it seriously enters the Cup conversation. Larkin isn't on the same level as the league's elite, led by Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, but he'd be a clear upgrade for the Sabres.
It's a pipe dream unless the Red Wings star decides he's willing to call Western New York home, though.
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