Dylan Larkin’s trade request has created league-wide noise, but the Philadelphia Flyers are not currently believed to be among the teams he finds acceptable, given his full no-movement clause.
Dylan Larkin’s trade request has set the NHL’s rumor mill spinning. but one detail is making the whole exercise far less flexible than teams may want it to be. Because Larkin has a full no-movement clause. Detroit can’t treat his future like a normal shopping spree—his authority over destinations narrows the market before negotiations even begin.
Larkin has already given the Red Wings a “short list” of acceptable teams. a point that has echoed through league circles. One club that is not believed to be on that list is the Philadelphia Flyers. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reported on Sunday that Philadelphia doesn’t currently think it fits into Larkin’s approved group.
Larkin, for his part, directly addressed the situation on X. “Not sure what’s out there right now but per a source, the Flyers do not believe they are on Dylan Larkin’s “short list” at the moment,” he wrote. “These things can always change, of course, but that’s where it is at present.”
That matters in a practical way for Detroit. The Red Wings finished as a playoff team last season. yet Philadelphia isn’t viewed as a clear Stanley Cup contender at this stage despite having young talent. Larkin hasn’t been to the playoffs since his rookie season. and the assumption is that he may prioritize a winning situation—meaning that even if the Flyers can build a compelling offer. the “short list” could shut the door before the bids start.
The tighter Larkin’s options become, the more complicated the return package gets. Elite contenders often don’t have the same kind of draft leverage or deep prospect pools that teams build from. which is exactly the problem Detroit now faces as Steve Yzerman maps out scenarios around a restricted destination market.
Detroit has multiple paths, with the general manager weighing possibilities that include a “hockey trade” focused on NHL-ready players rather than futures. There is also the option of waiting deeper into the offseason, or even into the season, if the right offers don’t materialize.
Even the contract math underlines why Detroit can’t be careless. Larkin is signed for five more seasons at a $8.7 million average annual value. a deal considered team-friendly in the current NHL market. That’s why blockbuster center trades from recent years often serve as reference points—moves like Ryan O’Reilly’s 2018 trade to the St. Louis Blues and Jack Eichel’s 2021 trade to the Vegas Golden Knights. Both returned packages made up of a mix of top prospects, first- and second-round picks, and roster players.
But any deal Detroit makes now has to address needs that were already on the list before Larkin’s request turned the conversation upside down. The Red Wings still need a top-line left wing, a second-line center, and depth scoring. Those requirements are compounded by uncertainty at top-line center.
Forward Alex DeBrincat, who led Detroit with 41 goals and 85 points last season, is entering the final year of his deal. He is 29 years old as of December and remains a central figure as Detroit plans forward.
Detroit’s young core includes Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper, and Emmitt Finnie. In development, the organization has prospects such as Nate Danielson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Carter Bear, and Max Plante.
There’s also the draft situation. which could shape what Detroit is able to include if the “short list” forces the Red Wings into a more NHL-ready return than a future-heavy package. Detroit does not currently hold a first-round pick after a prior trade involving Justin Faulk. though that could change in a Larkin deal.
With Larkin’s “short list” effectively setting the rules of the market. the Flyers’ likely exclusion isn’t just another rumor detail—it’s a sign of how quickly a single clause can redirect an entire offseason plan. And unless the teams on that list offer a path that improves Detroit’s lineup in the ways it needs. Steve Yzerman may find himself waiting longer than usual for the right combination of fit. leverage. and roster value.
Dylan Larkin Detroit Red Wings trade request no-movement clause short list Philadelphia Flyers Steve Yzerman Alex DeBrincat Moritz Seider Lucas Raymond NHL rumors
So basically the Flyers are just getting denied again lol.
I don’t get it—if he’s trading, why do you still get to pick where you go? Seems backwards. Also Flyers not on the list? Shocked.
This article says it’s about a “full no-movement clause” but then talks about Larkin having a short list like it’s supposed to make it easier? It’s like, if he controls destinations then Detroit can’t really do much. And wasn’t Philly a contender like two years ago? Idk.
The no-movement clause thing is exactly why trades feel fake nowadays. Detroit does all the work and then the player still picks the teams, like come on. If Larkin doesn’t think Philly is good enough then maybe it’s because they’re always rebuilding or something. But I swear I saw somewhere the Flyers were definitely in the mix… so who knows.