The Detroit Red Wings appear to be letting teams know what it could take to acquire their two unhappy superstars.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Thursday's episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast that the Red Wings are seeking young centres in trade talks for Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson.
"Detroit, whatever they're considering out there, whether it's Larkin or Edvinsson ... but the one thing I think they are doing, and I've heard this a little bit, is they're starting to ask about young centres. And maybe some guys who are top prospects who aren't in the NHL yet. I had a couple of teams tell me on Wednesday ... whatever Detroit is planning here, they're looking at young centres."
Friedman added that he couldn't say if the conversations were related to Larkin, Edvinsson or both.
"I've had a couple of teams say to me do not be surprised if and when this logjam breaks, if one or two (centres) are involved for Detroit if they can. That is definitely a goal of theirs," he said.
Larkin, 30, is a centre who has been on the market since he requested a trade at the end of last season. He holds a no-trade clause but a recent report from The Detroit Free Press revealed that the former Red Wings captain has expanded the list of teams he is open to joining to 10.
The Red Wings have had trouble building centre depth behind Larkin over the course of their 10-year playoff drought. Currently the team is leaning heavily on Andrew Copp and Larkin, while sophomore Emmitt Finnie has moved from wing to centre. Meanwhile, recent first-round picks Marco Kasper and Nate Danielson have had their development slowed by injuries and neither is contributing to the team right now.
Edvinsson, 23, is a top-pair defenceman who has not played this season as he remains a restricted free agent without a contract. He reported to camp but returned home to Sweden when a deal wasn't completed. Friedman reported earlier this month that Edvinsson "prefers a trade from the Red Wings."
Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff responded on Oct. 14 to Friedman's report, saying he has "zero interest" in trading Edvinsson.
Speaking on Thursday's podcast, Friedman said while the Red Wings still prefer to sign Edvinsson, it appears they are also preparing for other scenarios. Edvinsson must sign a new contract by Dec. 1 to be eligible to play this season.
"It's a tough spot for them. I had a guy tell me today, man, Detroit thought Larkin and Edvinsson were going to be their cornerstones for years," Friedman said. "But I think the realization is starting to set in and they're starting to lay their groundwork."
