Let's talk about Larkin

[UMR-alum-05]

What exactly is he thinking.

Neither Minnesota, Or Florida, Or Vegas can take him on.

This is embarrassing.

They don't have the cap or the assets to trade.

And the rumor is that he isn't backing down.

Talk about a lack of a clue.

[TheHighHat]

Perhaps the report is true that Larkin is remaining steadfast about the 3 teams he is willing to go.
It would not surprise me if the Wings used the veteran reporter to throw that narrative out there to put more heat on Larkin.

Larkin is a good center, but not very good or great.
He ranks around the 20th best center in the league.
Detroit has never found another good center to augment with Larkin which is why the Wings miss the playoffs every year.

Larkin is more comparable to Bo Horvat than anyone else.
Good players but not centers that necessarily make their wingers better or guys you build a successful team around.
They're both more scorers than playmakers.

Yzerman will get a better return than Vancouver did for Horvat, but he has to realize he's not trading a 24 year old true 1C.
Larkin has over 800 games of tread on his tires, so the team that acquires him will have a very limited time of his usual production.

I'm still not ruling out the Buffalo Sabres as the landing spot for Larkin.
Will Yzerman take back Josh Norris (another Michigan boy) in the trade?
Jarmo has the assets to make it happen including Mrtka and perhaps Ostlund.
I believe the Sabres are still in on Hellebuyck too. It's a game of chicken right now regarding asking price.

Apparently just about everyone in the Red Wing organization walks on eggshells around Yzerman.
If you're going to be a major JO, you better get results. Stevie has failed.

Yzerman should take a realistic look at his roster and the division his team plays in.
The Wings should take back picks and prospects for Larkin instead of immediate temporary help.
They need to commit to a full rebuild around their 2 pillars on the back end in Seider & Edvinsson.
The Wings should also unload Debrincat for a 1st in the loaded 27 draft.

I have to push back on the common narrative that Detroit has been in a prolonged rebuild.
That is false. It's a lazy argument presumably only because they have missed the playoffs for a decade.

Yzerman has never committed to a full rebuild.
He has been trying to retool with rotten results.
Yes, they have broken in a rookie or two every year or other year, but that is common across the league.
The fact is that in Yzerman's tenure he has loaded his roster with older players.

19-20 Oldest team in the league
20-21 4th Oldest
21-22 15th Oldest
22-23 25th Oldest
23-24 5th Oldest
24-25 2nd Oldest
25-26 6th Oldest

[zoiks]

I think GM’s trying to play Mr. Toughguy hardball during negotiations with players haven’t ended up doing well for quite some time, and Yzerman should take what he can get before teams Larkin will go to have made other moves in the off-season instead of waiting, and Detroit ends up having to take horrible contracts back in the trade to make the salary cap work. Larkin’s trade value will plummet once the season starts, due to lack of salary cap space, and the Red Wings will be a complete circus if he’s on their opening day roster.

Detroit will not get an NHL ready 1st line center back in the deal, and they have no players or prospects to fill that role, so they need to go for the dreaded teardown rebuild and trade for futures. If they can get better futures in the deal by accepting short term salary dump contracts in the deal, they should do that too.

I don’t see how Yzerman keeps his job after the debacle is over, and I think owners need to wise up and stop hiring GM’s whose value is provided via being tough negotiators with players. Those GM’s no longer have leverage since the quickly rising salary cap makes it easy for players to demand to be traded and find another home.

On another note, NHL front offices better treat their players very well and actually try to contend, or their star players on good long term contracts can easily demand to be traded to their teams of choice. For instance in the Blues’ case, Thomas is only paid around 50-60% of what his contract would be if he signed long term right now. Every team in the league would want him if he asked to be traded.

[Pierre McGuire]

What exactly is he thinking.

Neither Minnesota, Or Florida, Or Vegas can take him on.

This is embarrassing.

They don't have the cap or the assets to trade.

And the rumor is that he isn't backing down.

Talk about a lack of a clue.

He knows Vegas and Florida can’t take him on. He’s trying to force a move to Minnesota, he’s basically pulling the Brady to Florida move. Give a three team list knowing two of them can’t make the deal so it’s really a one team list with his preferred team of choice.

[Backesdraft]

What exactly is he thinking.

Neither Minnesota, Or Florida, Or Vegas can take him on.

This is embarrassing.

They don't have the cap or the assets to trade.

And the rumor is that he isn't backing down.

Talk about a lack of a clue.

He knows Vegas and Florida can’t take him on. He’s trying to force a move to Minnesota, he’s basically pulling the Brady to Florida move. Give a three team list knowing two of them can’t make the deal so it’s really a one team list with his preferred team of choice.

Doesn’t sound like Minnesota can match the ask from Yzerman either though. Or, if they CAN match it they aren’t willing to do so. Frankly. I kind of like that Yzerman is calling his bluff. I’d love for Larkin to have to start the season in Detroit and either sit out like a little punk or go in and face his teammates, all of whom know he’d rather be somewhere else.

[UMR-alum-05]

What exactly is he thinking.

Neither Minnesota, Or Florida, Or Vegas can take him on.

This is embarrassing.

They don't have the cap or the assets to trade.

And the rumor is that he isn't backing down.

Talk about a lack of a clue.

He knows Vegas and Florida can’t take him on. He’s trying to force a move to Minnesota, he’s basically pulling the Brady to Florida move. Give a three team list knowing two of them can’t make the deal so it’s really a one team list with his preferred team of choice.

Maybe some lack of clarity with my post. I was trying to say his desired three teams either don't have the cap space (Florida, Vegas) or don't have the assets to trade (Minny)

[Old_Goat]

Maybe he's hoping for an unconditional release buyout, then he can go sign a salary for less at one of those teams which they can afford, and he'll still be making somewhat close to the same amount of money?
Or maybe Yzerman hopes he gets so fed up and refuses to report thus voiding his contract, because Yzerman cannot move him any other way, and at least they clear the cash flow/Cap and he does the best he can to get a Center whom wants to play there?
This is a bad situation for the Team in so many ways.
And never underestimate the value of a good experienced veteran player whom says, "I want to stay here, I want to play here, I want to contribute here."
Sure, they can fire Yzerman, but that old roster isn't going to change overnight to make Larkin's dream any better.
Intangibles and locker room chemistry do matter.

[Backesdraft]

Something else that isn’t getting enough attention is the other big name players on the team. Debrincat, Seidel, etc…are they going to want out now too? Or, are they going to be be happy to see Larkin leave? Addition by subtraction sort of thing. I’d love to know what the vibe is from the rest of the team.

[TBone]

Apparently just about everyone in the Red Wing organization walks on eggshells around Yzerman.
If you're going to be a major JO, you better get results. Stevie has failed

I'm just glad they took Faulk off our hands for a 1st, 3rd and this young feller.

-----------------------------------------

Blues Prospect Dmitry Buchelnikov Wants To Make NHL Childhood Dream A Reality

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis- ... -a-reality

[Pierre McGuire]

What exactly is he thinking.

Neither Minnesota, Or Florida, Or Vegas can take him on.

This is embarrassing.

They don't have the cap or the assets to trade.

And the rumor is that he isn't backing down.

Talk about a lack of a clue.

He knows Vegas and Florida can’t take him on. He’s trying to force a move to Minnesota, he’s basically pulling the Brady to Florida move. Give a three team list knowing two of them can’t make the deal so it’s really a one team list with his preferred team of choice.

Maybe some lack of clarity with my post. I was trying to say his desired three teams either don't have the cap space (Florida, Vegas) or don't have the assets to trade (Minny)

Minnesota has assets they can deal, it’s going to come down to what Yzerman will finally accept.

[Pierre McGuire]

What exactly is he thinking.

Neither Minnesota, Or Florida, Or Vegas can take him on.

This is embarrassing.

They don't have the cap or the assets to trade.

And the rumor is that he isn't backing down.

Talk about a lack of a clue.

He knows Vegas and Florida can’t take him on. He’s trying to force a move to Minnesota, he’s basically pulling the Brady to Florida move. Give a three team list knowing two of them can’t make the deal so it’s really a one team list with his preferred team of choice.

Doesn’t sound like Minnesota can match the ask from Yzerman either though. Or, if they CAN match it they aren’t willing to do so. Frankly. I kind of like that Yzerman is calling his bluff. I’d love for Larkin to have to start the season in Detroit and either sit out like a little punk or go in and face his teammates, all of whom know he’d rather be somewhere else.

Well the Boldy ask is borderline ridiculous. Yzerman and Larkin already don’t care for each other…it just makes no sense to drag this out for Yzerman, Larkin or the Wings organization. Players almost always get their way in the end, I doubt it will be any different in this case when all is said done.

[Bubble4427]

I think GM’s trying to play Mr. Toughguy hardball during negotiations with players haven’t ended up doing well for quite some time, and Yzerman should take what he can get before teams Larkin will go to have made other moves in the off-season instead of waiting, and Detroit ends up having to take horrible contracts back in the trade to make the salary cap work. Larkin’s trade value will plummet once the season starts, due to lack of salary cap space, and the Red Wings will be a complete circus if he’s on their opening day roster.

Detroit will not get an NHL ready 1st line center back in the deal, and they have no players or prospects to fill that role, so they need to go for the dreaded teardown rebuild and trade for futures. If they can get better futures in the deal by accepting short term salary dump contracts in the deal, they should do that too.

I don’t see how Yzerman keeps his job after the debacle is over, and I think owners need to wise up and stop hiring GM’s whose value is provided via being tough negotiators with players. Those GM’s no longer have leverage since the quickly rising salary cap makes it easy for players to demand to be traded and find another home. I completely disagree. Why is this debacle Yzerman's fault? When a player wants out is it always the GMs fault? Larking signed his deal 2 years ago. Yzerman didn't put a gun to his head and force him to sign it.

On another note, NHL front offices better treat their players very well and actually try to contend, or their star players on good long term contracts can easily demand to be traded to their teams of choice. For instance in the Blues’ case, Thomas is only paid around 50-60% of what his contract would be if he signed long term right now. Every team in the league would want him if he asked to be traded.

You are obviously kidding.

I hope Yzerman draws a line in the sand and says "expand your list or sit home". The players should not be allowed to play for whomever they desire whenever they want. Larkin made a choice by signing with Detroit....it's his obligation to fulfill his contract. Saying your unhappy and want out is one thing...but demanding you go to a specific team is ridiculous. GMs need to start standing up to the players. Screw Larkin.

[Frank Underwood]

I kind of like the suggestion I read in another thread…….if a player demands a trade, he forfeits his no trade clause, so the team can trade him to any other team. The player’s association wouldn’t go for that, but maybe there is some sort of middle ground compromise that could be worked out that keeps teams from being held hostage.

[TheJackBurton]

I kind of like the suggestion I read in another thread…….if a player demands a trade, he forfeits his no trade clause, so the team can trade him to any other team. The player’s association wouldn’t go for that, but maybe there is some sort of middle ground compromise that could be worked out that keeps teams from being held hostage.

Yep I was the one who stated it. Maybe the compromise is there needs to be a list of a minimum of 10 teams. You are still excluding 22 teams, so not getting shipped to a perennial loser, but this 3 team [nonsense] when you are demanding a trade, with as Tim stated is really a 1 team list, is absolute [nonsense] and needs to stop.

[UMR-alum-05]

What exactly is he thinking.

Neither Minnesota, Or Florida, Or Vegas can take him on.

This is embarrassing.

They don't have the cap or the assets to trade.

And the rumor is that he isn't backing down.

Talk about a lack of a clue.

He knows Vegas and Florida can’t take him on. He’s trying to force a move to Minnesota, he’s basically pulling the Brady to Florida move. Give a three team list knowing two of them can’t make the deal so it’s really a one team list with his preferred team of choice.

Maybe some lack of clarity with my post. I was trying to say his desired three teams either don't have the cap space (Florida, Vegas) or don't have the assets to trade (Minny)

Minnesota has assets they can deal, it’s going to come down to what Yzerman will finally accept.

They have assets. Not what Detroit would want.

[somni]

Screw Larkin. He's never even broken over 80 points. He'll be 30 y/o before the season starts.

I find this demand absolutely insane. I can't stand Detroit, but I hope Yzerman holds steady and Larkin gets booed every GD time he steps on the ice.

But, probably the best play is to work out a trade. But if I'm Yzerman, I'm not taking spare parts. Tough position.