Dylan Larkin makes sense for Islanders except in this situation

Talk of pretty much every team looking to land Dylan Larkin has become the hottest topic in NHL circles. And there’s no doubt that New York Islanders fans are thinking about what it would take to land the 29-year-old.

Yes, the idea of Larkin on Long Island is tantalizing. The Islanders could certainly use the upgrade down the middle. With Larkin in the fold, Peter DeBoer would be looking at a deployment of Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, JG Pageau, and Larkin.

Having Pageau as a fourth-line center would be something very few teams could boast.

There’s no question that Larkin is one deal the Islanders have to make, except if it means surrendering a high-end piece to get him.

No, we’re not talking about sending Matthew Schaefer to Detroit. What we’re talking about here is swapping Barzal for Larkin. Such a move wouldn’t do much for the Islanders. Adding Larkin but dropping Barzal would not really add anything.

If the Islanders added Larkin along with Barzal, that changes the calculus. That scenario means the Isles would be significantly improving the team’s overall configuration.

So, what would be something fair for the Islanders to give up for Larkin? That’s not quite an easy question to answer.

Islanders have pieces to make Larkin trade work

Assuming Larkin gets dealt ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Islanders’ first-rounder would be in play. Since the Red Wings don’t have a first-round pick this season, landing the 13th overall pick wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

The Red Wings would also have to take on a “bad” contract to make the money work. Larkin comes with an $8.7 million cap hit, pretty much forcing the Islanders to move a contract like Anthony Duclair or Pierre Engvall.

The Islanders might also have to surrender a top prospect. Fortunately, the Islanders have a couple they could spare. Potentially, someone like Daniil Prokhorov or Victor Eklund would be on Detroit’s radar.

While parting with a high-end prospect might sting, the Isles see themselves as playoff contenders. As such, some sacrifices will have to be made.

Although, I wonder if someone like Calum Ritchie, who’s pretty much an everyday NHL forward be someone that the Red Wings could look at and think could take Larkin’s lineup spot at some point.

Bringing in Dylan Larkin is something the Islanders have to consider. But if the Red Wings want to play hardball, the Isles might be better off holding onto the promising pieces they have. It makes no sense to gut the prospect pipeline, particularly when it promises to replenish some of the veterans who’ll be departing in the coming seasons.

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