Could NHL superstar replace Aleksander Barkov? Florida could lose the Finn

A notable replacement for Florida Panthers’ injured top center Aleksander Barkov could be found from the Detroit Red Wings. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman assessed on the NHL Now program that Dylan Larkin would be willing to accept a trade to Florida.

Barkov was placed on the long-term injured list last week due to a leg injury. The exact severity of the injury is still unclear.

Friedman’s trade considerations also brought up Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen.

– I believe Florida is one of the teams he would agree to move to. The big challenge, in my opinion, is that Detroit is not pursuing a rebuild. The Panthers have Eetu Luostarinen. I don’t know if they would be willing to do that, Friedman said during the broadcast.

Detroit’s unwillingness to rebuild suggests that the team would be seeking ready players in return rather than just prospects or draft picks.

Luostarinen signed an eight-year extension with Florida just last summer, so trading him can be considered unlikely.

Larkin, on the other hand, requested a trade away from Detroit in the summer and lost the captaincy he had held for six seasons before training camp. He has returned to team practices, but a minor injury has kept him out of games.

Larkin, who scored 34+33=67 points in 74 games last season, has a contract that runs through the summer of 2031. The deal, which guarantees a salary of $8.7 million, includes a full no-trade clause that gives the forward control over any potential trade approval.

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NHL | 26.10.2026 07:45