Where is anyone going to find a high-end centre? Almost everyone needs one, but they are seldom available. Free agency has never been thinner, and if a team has a good one, they certainly don’t want to give them away.
Then, out of the blue, like the heavens opening during a drought over the Sahara, a Dylan Larkin trade request.
Larkin is the ideal option for any centre-needy team, which is why 31 fanbases quickly started creating mock trade proposals on social media moments after the announcement. Talented top-line centres in their prime that are cost-controlled for multiple seasons at a friendly number are nearly impossible to find, and Larkin checks every box.
These types of trade requests send shockwaves around the NHL because they aren’t the norm, at least not right now. In the NFL, you seem to get a few every off-season, along with contract holdouts, as players in a violent sport simply don’t want to waste a single season in which they feel they deserve to be paid more or don’t think they’re in the right situation. While star players in the NHL don’t move around as much as those from the other big three leagues, there are signs that may be changing.
Larkin’s trade request is another sign that player empowerment is growing
In recent years, we’ve seen Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes indicate they weren’t going to extend with their respective teams, leading to trades, and now Auston Matthews will soon have a similar decision to make. Larkin’s case is a little different because he’s outright requesting a trade, and can you really blame him?
The Detroit Red Wings have now missed the playoffs for a decade straight and Larkin is approaching his 30th birthday. Detroit has improved mildly over the past few seasons, but there’s no glaring indication it's ready to compete in a tough Atlantic Division, and it doesn't have a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Larkin appeared in five playoff games as a rookie in 2015-16 and hasn’t sniffed the post-season since. After winning Olympic gold in February, along with the aforementioned Tkachuk, Hughes and Matthews, Larkin likely wants to ensure he has a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup at his next stop for the foreseeable future while he’s still at the top of his game.
We’re seeing it in more than just trade requests, too. Connor McDavid’s two-year extension was a clear message to the Edmonton Oilers that they have to put themselves in a better position to contend for the Cup in short order or he’s likely going to continue his quest for a championship elsewhere. With the cap skyrocketing, we could see more short-term deals so players can maximize their earnings and keep themselves flexible to move as the competitive landscape of the NHL constantly changes.
Larkin’s decision doesn’t just feel like part of a trend but rather a continuation of a movement that’s going to see more power shift towards players in the coming years.
Overreaction? – No
The more players around the NHL see the success their peers are having with these types of moves, the more common they are going to be. Tkachuk went on to immediately appear in three straight Stanley Cup Finals with Florida and won two of them, while Hughes helped guide the Minnesota Wild to their first playoff win in over a decade.
Larkin has probably spoken to his fellow countrymen about their experiences and realizes that transitioning to a new franchise at his age wouldn’t be overly challenging. These international competitions are an opportunity to spend time with different players around the league and hear about their experiences in other markets.
According to Sportsnet Stats, as of 2025-26, the average NHL career lasts just 325 games. That’s less than four seasons. Players aren’t going to wait around and accept the status quo if they don’t feel like they have a good chance at success. It’s going to be incumbent on management going forward to ensure they have a strong relationship with their star players and that they have a long-term plan that aligns with the core of their team. If not, don’t expect today’s top players to be as patient as those of years past.
Frederik Andersen needs a rest, and Brandon Bussi should start Game 4
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen cruised through the first three rounds of these playoffs, but the Vegas Golden Knights have had his number so far in the Cup Final. Andersen had allowed just 20 goals in 13 games heading into the series against Vegas, but the Golden Knights have already solved him 12 times in the first three outings. The 36-year-old did not have anything close to a starter’s workload this season, and his recent dip in play brings up the question of whether he’s starting to wear down. Andersen has played every game for Carolina in the post-season but didn’t start more than two games in a row during the regular season. Should the Hurricanes consider starting Brandon Bussi for Game 4 to give Andersen a breather?
Overreaction? – Yes
Andersen may have started 16 in a row in the playoffs, but he’s had plenty of rest along the way. Carolina swept Ottawa and Philadelphia in the first two rounds, giving Andersen a nice break in between series. The Canes then dispatched Montreal, which didn’t put up many shots at all in the series, in only five games, and Andersen got three days off before facing Vegas. Plus, Bussi came on in relief for the third period on Saturday and there’s also going to be two days off before Game 4, so Andersen is getting some time to recoup. Bussi played admirably in Game 3 but still has only appeared in 39 career games and hasn’t started a post-season contest. Going to him in Game 4 of the Cup Final would be a big ask. If you’re Rod Brind’Amour, you have to go back to Andersen and hope he can get back on track.
Predators hit a home run with Chris MacFarland
Patience has paid off for the Nashville Predators. After a general manager search that took months and saw a few teams lap them in the process, Nashville secured Chris MacFarland this week as their new GM and president of hockey operations. It’s a major score for the Preds, as MacFarland is nominated for GM of the Year and has helped construct one of the best teams in hockey in the Colorado Avalanche. I’m sure the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs are very happy with their new hires, but they surely would’ve welcomed speaking to MacFarland if he were in play. Nashville really played its cards right and may have ended up with the best option this off-season, even though it took the longest.
Overreaction? – No
MacFarland spent more than a decade in Colorado and saw the team through many different phases. They finished last in the NHL early in his tenure and later won the Stanley Cup and the Presidents' Trophy. MacFarland has seen and done it all in Colorado, including trading an elite talent like Mikko Rantanen without missing a beat. He’s the perfect person to guide the Predators in the coming years, which could involve a major change in trajectory. Nashville may end up having to rebuild and move some pieces out, or it could become aggressive in the trade market to bolster its lineup in the short term. MacFarland gives the Predators the flexibility and experience to go down any avenue they choose with confidence.
Patrik Laine will have a hard time finding a landing spot in free agency
It was another season full of injuries for Patrik Laine, who managed to play in just five games for the Montreal Canadiens and was a non-factor during their playoff run. Laine will now head into free agency with an uncertain future. The veteran winger is completing a deal that paid him $8.7M a season and won’t be getting anywhere close to that on the open market. It’s been eight seasons since Laine posted a 44-goal campaign and looked like one of the bright young scorers in the game, so expectations will be low for anyone targeting him in free agency. Laine may even have a difficult time finding a new team to take a chance on him.
Overreaction? – Yes
There’s no denying Laine’s stock is low, but he’s still a talented player if he’s put in the right situation. He’s still only 28 years old, and even though his tenure in Montreal has been mostly disappointing, last season showed he’s still capable of being effective if used appropriately.
Laine scored 20 times in 52 games during the 2024-25 season, with most of those goals coming on the power play. The Canadiens used him on his off-wing and constantly fed him one-timers, which is essentially the Alexander Ovechkin spot. Laine proved his shot remains more than capable of beating a goalie from that area, and he did turn back the clock with some vintage performances.
With the cap making a big jump, there should be at least a few teams willing to give Laine a short-term prove-it deal, and if they copy Montreal’s blueprint, expect Laine to provide some solid secondary scoring in his new home. Playing Laine down the lineup and featuring him on the power play is a good recipe for success.
The new all-star format won’t be an improvement to the event
The quest to improve the NHL All-Star Game continued this week after it was announced that there will be a new format for the game at UBS Arena next February. It’s going to be a mini 3-on-3 tournament with an international feel, as teams from Canada, the United States, Finland, Sweden, and a Rest of World squad will partake. Each team will play four five-minute games, with the top two meeting in the finals.
What the All-Star Games have lacked in recent iterations is intensity. There’s rarely any effort on the defensive end, and the game quickly turns into a game of shinny, much to the chagrin of the goalies who are hung out to dry. No one expects players to compete like it’s the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it’s a tough watch when the contests don’t resemble anything close to real hockey. This new format is intriguing, but it’s hard to imagine the game suddenly becoming super competitive.
Overreaction? – Yes
Let’s face it: the All-Star Game is more of a social event for players than it is a competition, and that will likely never change. That said, this international showdown might be the best way to try and make the games a little more exciting. Hockey fans have been spoiled over the last year with the Four Nations and the Olympics, so piggybacking on that is a smart move by the NHL. Anytime you put on your country’s jersey, it’s going to give the game more meaning, and could you imagine if there’s another Canada/U.S. final? You can’t tell me the players won’t have some extra motivation to put on a good show in that scenario. We still likely won’t see players going all out in this format, but hopefully we at least get a backcheck or two now that the game has some extra stakes.
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