Could Dylan Larkin's Trade Request Open a Door for the Rangers 32-Year-Old Star Center?

The first official offseason in the New York Rangers retooling stage has begun, and they’re looking to tread in the right direction. While free agency is a way to go, the Blueshirts have yet to trade their star center. As the market seems to lack many centers, Chris Drury may have himself the valuable one, and good timing, as a certain team may just be in need of a new star center. It’s been a hectic few days in Detroit, as Dylan Larkin requested a trade and gave a trade list of only Minnesota, Vegas, and Florida. The Detroit center wants out. Can this mean an inevitable trip to Detroit for the Rangers' 32-year-old star center?

Coming off his fourth season with the Blueshirts, Vincent Trocheck has been the talk of the trade market for months. Having been a key asset in Team USA’s gold medal victory at the Olympics, it felt as if the Pittsburgh native’s value had never been higher. Looking like a certain move at the deadline, Drury faced a crucial decision and, in the end, felt the right offer didn’t present itself, keeping the veteran center in New York for now. As the most significant step forward would be to trade New York’s faceoff leader, a trade to Detroit could be an option to consider. So, out with the captain and in with a veteran center, is this beneficial for both parties?

While Trocheck is clearly not on any level compared with Larkin, he’d still prove useful in Detroit. Though without the 29-year-old captain, someone will need to step up immediately. If one of their replacements develops well in the new role, their center depth could improve significantly. Still, considering the assets Detroit would want to get for the Michigan native, it may prove difficult to work out a trade with the three teams on his list. Still, if the captain gets his request, what would Detroit be willing to give New York for the former Panther?

The decision to delay Trocheck’s likely departure until the offseason suggests Chris Drury is looking for the perfect offer; can Detroit make that offer? A potential return for the Rangers is most likely to include both a draft pick and a young prospect, perhaps a player to implement at center next to J.T. Miller. For New York, it’s clear their main focus, in return, is a young player to develop in the future, perhaps also a veteran with some experience to slot in at center. Regardless, it’s gonna be a wild offseason for the Red Wings, but if all goes in their captain's favor, another landing spot is wide open for the faceoff leader.