Report: Bruins May Pursue Larkin Trade If He’s On the Market

Boston Hockey Now is reporting the Boston Bruins may shift their focus to the pursuit of a deal for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin now that Bo Horvat has been traded.

The Bruins, owning the NHL’s best record, were among the teams that pursued Horvat up until he was moved to the New York Islanders. They won the bidding on Horvat mostly because the Canucks liked their prospect offer (Aatu Raty) better. Also, their first-round pick is likely to be closer to the middle of the round. Other suitors for Horvat will have first-round picks near the end of the round.

There’s been no evidence the Red Wings are planning to trade Larkin. However, rival GMs see that possibility because Larkin still does not have a new contract. He can be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

“(Larkin) would blend right in with (Patrice) Bergeron and (Brad) Marchand for now. He’s still only 26 and has plenty of game left in him,” an NHL source told BHN. “I think he’s a Don Sweeney type player too. The two questions obviously are: Will he waive his no-trade and will he give them a chance to extend?”

Bergeron’s Replacement?

Although Larkin and the Red Wings are apart on the dollar amount of the contract, it still seems hard to believe the Red Wings won’t get him re-signed. He’s not a superstar. But he is the Red Wings’ offensive catalyst and the team’s leader. He’s also a Michigan player and a popular player. At 26, he’s still young enough to be part of the rebuild.

His agent, Pat Brisson, told Detroit Hockey Now that he was “not alarmed at all” that the negotiations have stretched into the season.  He said talks with Yzerman are still ongoing. Brisson said he and Larkin would have talk about the situation when Larkin plays at the All-Star game in Sunrise, Florida this weekend.

The Boston Hockey Now story also reported that the Red Wings talked to the Canucks about Horvat.  But they were not among the teams that were talking to the Canucks at the end.

Another reason why the Bruins would be interested in Larkin: Bergeron is 37 and David Krejci, 36. Both may retire after this season. The Bruins are going to need another center.