Dylan Larkin Excludes Sabres From Trade List

The veteran forward continues to limit his potential destinations for a deal away from the Red Wings.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Hockey

Expressive sports illustration of a hockey player in a red and white uniform skating dynamically on ice. — Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin has submitted a list of 10 preferred trade destinations, explicitly excluding the Buffalo Sabres. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should professional athletes have the power to limit their trade options to specific teams?

Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin has submitted a list of 10 teams he would be willing to join if traded. The veteran center explicitly excluded the Buffalo Sabres from this list as he maintains his active trade request.

Why it matters

Larkin is utilizing his no-trade clause to target contenders based in the United States while avoiding Canadian markets. This move narrows the field for the Red Wings as they manage the 30-year-old's desire to play for a different organization.

Larkin, who is 30 years old, has restricted his move to 10 specific teams. This list excludes all Canadian franchises and the Buffalo Sabres.

The players

Dylan Larkin

He is a 30-year-old veteran center who currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings.

Detroit Red Wings

They are a professional NHL team based in Michigan that holds Larkin's current contract.

Buffalo Sabres

They are an NHL franchise based in New York that Larkin has excluded from his trade destination list.

The details

Larkin provided the list to the organization during the 2026 offseason as part of his ongoing efforts to move to a new club. He continues to wield his no-trade clause to prevent moves to destinations outside of his selected preferences.

Summer 2026: Larkin officially requested a trade from the Red Wings.
October 20, 2026: The list of 10 acceptable trade destinations was reported.

Season Trajectory

This development marks a continued departure from the team's initial vision as the 2026 offseason trade request remains the central narrative for the franchise. The exclusion of specific teams forces the front office to narrow its search for a deal, directly influencing the team's roster management throughout the current season.

The list of 10 teams—including the Panthers, Golden Knights, Wild, Hurricanes, Avalanche, Stars, Devils, Lightning, Mammoth, and Capitals—defines the only destinations where a deal can proceed. These parameters effectively cap the trade market for fantasy owners and fans monitoring the Detroit roster.

The takeaway

Larkin remains firm in his strategy to control his professional future by leveraging his contract's no-trade clause. Fans should watch for how the Detroit front office navigates these limitations while working toward a roster solution.