This Detroit Red Wings podcast dives further into the Larkin trade request ordeal, focusing on Alex DeBrincat & Steve Yzerman weighing a possible hard reset. Hockeytown news & analysis breaks down Alex DeBrincat’s looming contract decision and what a step-back season could mean for the roster.
(00:00) – Intro and Birthday Wishes
We open with Evan’s belated birthday (or is it Eric’s?) and a look ahead to the draft and free agency.
(04:40) – Alex DeBrincat Contract Situation
DeBrincat’s extension could decide whether Detroit retools or tears it down — and why keeping him matters at all costs.
(16:10) – Yzerman’s Path Forward
The death-by-a-thousand-cuts problem in pro scouting and how a Larkin trade return shapes the next five years.
(29:35) – Simon Edvinsson Extension Talk
Edvinsson’s RFA deal, the eight-year window before the CBA change, and whether a bridge makes sense.
(36:00) – Darnell Nurse Trade Block
What it’d take to even consider Nurse’s contract, plus a wild Edmonton retention hypothetical.
(42:05) – NHL Awards Voting
Kucherov edges McDavid for the Hart, and Moritz Seider lands the Red Wings’ first Hart votes since a surprising name.
(45:50) – Prospect Profile: Keaton Verhoeff
The right-shot North Dakota defenseman playing his true 17-year-old season in the NCAA, and why his ceiling is worth a gamble.
(53:30) – Prospect Profile: JP Hurlbert
The Kamloops winger with a wicked shot who could fall to Detroit’s range at 47th overall.
(58:34) – Overtime Patreon Questions
Trade-request floodgates, Connor Hellebuyck rumblings, the Gibson goalie surplus, and an onion-eating sacrifice for McDavid.
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Support the show: Patreon.com/WingedWheelPodcast
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5-6 years out from seriously challenging… Get ready for the ride
Did anyone else just kind of squint and pretend as the red and white team carried the Cup around the ice…?
What would Alex fetch now? Would he net you McTavish? Would that be worth it? Someone that would be a step back scoring wise but better long term?
Yzerman is the worst GM since Mike Millbury. I'm for the whole front office to be shitcanned to be honest. People talk about our amateur prospects, but look at Yzerman's draft picks. They're largely awful. Outside of Raymond, Seider, and Edvinsson, who has he drafted that made an impact? 7 years in, and Yzerman has drafted 3 good players (Ed, Mo, and Raymond), two meh roster guys (AlJo and Finnie), and what's looking like a bust in Kasper. Steve Yzerman has not drafted, traded, or signed well at all. We're not making the playoffs with Yzerman and his buddies in charge. Fire his ass.
I love edvinsson, he makes some mistakes hes not perfect by any means but he's still really young but I can see the upside, and I love that he loves to mess with Brady Tkachuk and Cousins lol
Caleb Desnoyer and tij iginla are exactly what we need. This team will be completely different in 2 years time.
You guys should do live show. Carolina just won and wings just got new guy
No thanks on Nurse…..
i'm not sure i agree on the Cat front. If we go futures in a Larkin deal, wouldn't it be wise to get a major haul for Alex as well? I only say that because if we're 3-4 years away again, then those are wasted years for Alex and he'll only get worse. I'd prefer to see him go for a haul. Maybe I'm alone in this thought? I'd just rather see us get max value for the star that he is, and I don't think keeping him does much for the team.
The Wings better make sure Seider is on board with whatever direction they take. I'm sure as years go on he's going to feel like he got lowballed on his contract. If Mo ever gets so unhappy that he demands a trade the Wings are going to be screwed for years.
DeBrincat and Caufield are making very similar money. Can Alex even ask for even more than Cole?
If SY has to determine this teams future by TDL in 2027.
No need to worry about #9 Florida pick. IF they trade that it would be for Helly not Larkin. Their collection of centers or Barkov, Lundell/Bennett is arguably best top3 in NHL and technically Reinhart, Verhaeghe, Luostarinen listed as centers too who can play it.
IF enough GMs dumb enough to let Viggo Bjorck fall to them at #9 he’s an amazing fit at C for them too.
Larkin trade (assuming he approves it) will almost certainly be between these teams
Anaheim
Minny
Utah
TB
San Jose
NYI
I’d be shocked if it’s not one of those 6 teams. The only way I could see Florida involved is if they don’t have to include Lundell/Bennett somehow AND they don’t like who is there at #9 so they feel they can steal Larkin, but Stevie Y isn’t gonna let that happen.
Most pessimistic fanbase 😭
How long have we heard “the cupboard is full” with all these prospects. A bunch of middle 6 forwards and depth d men. ASP and Plante are not enough to meaningfully change the trajectory of this team. Unfortunately, they need to be bad again to get high quality players through the draft.
fire yzerclown
It really sounds like they are saying that Steve needs to go…
Gotta keep Cat.
Have to.
The only acceptable return for Larkin is a younger center who’s as close to as good as Larkin as possible. 1C and 2C are the spine of your team. You can always find top 6 wingers. Debrincat’s trade value will never be higher. Trade him. If you can manage to get your future 1C and or 1C and 2C by trading Larkin, Cat and maybe Cossa too….now you have your spine to construct your top 6 wingers around. And ideally at least 2 of the 4 top wingers are RW/C and LW/C, and not RW and LW. Natural centers as your wingers is an advantage that’s never talked about. Go look at Bill Zito’s forward core in ‘24 and ‘25. 5/6 of his top 6 are natural centers (Tkachuk only one who’s not) and 3-4 of his bottom 6 are natural centers.
It’s no coincidence. Most Cup teams have a lot as well.
Our only hope within is Kasper takes off and develops into a 2C.
I'd ask if we could talk about something besides the Larkin rumors cuz it's gonna be same ol story until something gets done but it's the off season and this is gonna drag so hard lol
Yzerman really caught the worst breaks ever on this rebuild.
Debrincat is gone. Kane is gone. Seider and Raymond are likely going to start getting really annoyed soon. It's going to get much worse.
Hey, please talk about theo rochette. He just got signed with RW. Promising player??
The answer is obvious. Yzerman should have been gone last week. Larkin may have been staying but now…we are choosing a guy that can't draft, that has made several bad trades, and has driven out the Captain of the team to do what…a 3-4 year retool?
What is this franchise doing?