What happened: Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade earlier this month, now reportedly prefers the Dallas Stars as his next destination, according to NHL insider Nick Kypreos. Dallas, run by former Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill, was not on Larkin's original short list but moved to the front after Florida acquired Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa. Anaheim's Pat Verbeek, another ex-Detroit executive, is also expected to pursue him.
Why it matters: Larkin holds a full no-trade clause with multiple years left, giving him significant say over where he lands, but GM Steve Yzerman controls whether a deal happens at all and reportedly won't move him if he feels squeezed. A Dallas trade raises the question of whether Detroit could pry away pending RFA Jason Robertson, a Michigan native, likely contingent on a long-term extension. Yzerman has reportedly asked Larkin's camp to widen his list of acceptable teams.
By the numbers: Larkin's initial reported short list included only the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild; Dallas was added later. Robertson's contract expires June 30 and he would be eligible for offer sheets. A December framework that would have sent Quinn Hughes to Detroit reportedly collapsed over his reluctance to commit to a long-term extension.
What to watch: Watch whether Larkin's representation formally expands his approved destination list and whether any Robertson extension materializes before his June 30 contract expiration.