The Blackhawks should make an outrageous pitch for Dylan Larkin — hear me out

The Chicago Blackhawks are not progressing as projected. Once again, the franchise finds itself near the bottom of the Western Conference and NHL standings, a place all too familiar to a fanbase that celebrated three Stanley Cup championships just over a decade ago.

In an attempt to rekindle those past glories, the organization welcomed back legendary forward Patrick Kane, hoping that, alongside captain Connor Bedard, he could help create some magic and push the team toward the next stage of its rebuild.

Instead, Chicago has seemingly abandoned the old saying about taking two steps forward and one step back. Right now, it’s two steps backward without taking a single step forward.

Meanwhile, in Detroit, the dumpster fire known as the Dylan Larkin situation has erupted into an uncontrollable wildfire. Earlier this year, Larkin won an Olympic gold medal and finished his sixth season as captain of the Original Six Red Wings, an honor previously bestowed upon some of the greatest players in NHL history.

In roughly six months, however, he requested a trade, lost the captaincy, dealt with an injury, expanded his list of preferred destinations, and ultimately declared he would never play another game for the only NHL franchise he’s ever known. On Thursday, Detroit responded by suspending him without pay.

If the situation sounds familiar, consider what happened with former Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. Another Olympic gold medalist, Hellebuyck wanted out of Winnipeg and hoped to join an American-based contender, despite the Jets having won the Presidents’ Trophy just two seasons earlier, when he also captured the Hart Trophy.

As trade rumors intensified, Buffalo and Carolina emerged as potential destinations. Then, in a move few around the hockey world anticipated, Hellebuyck landed with the New Jersey Devils, which brings us back to Larkin and an outrageous possibility that Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson should at least consider.

Larkin has a connection on the Blackhawks no one is talking about

Although Larkin has become one of the NHL’s most controversial players, particularly among frustrated Red Wings fans, his accomplishments in Detroit shouldn’t be forgotten. The former 15th overall pick from the 2014 NHL Draft has produced six 30-goal seasons and served as captain for six years.

Yet, despite those individual accomplishments, he has endured a decade without another Stanley Cup Playoff appearance since his rookie season in 2015-16. Even when Kane joined the Red Wings for three seasons, his presence wasn’t enough to help Detroit end its postseason drought.

However, the two accomplished plenty together. Combined, Larkin (97) and Kane (57) scored 154 goals over those three seasons, connecting on 27 goals. That’s an established relationship between two talented offensive players who already know how to produce alongside one another.

So, while rumors swirl about Davidson calling other franchises in search of additional scoring, why doesn’t he ask Kane to send a message to an old teammate? Chicago currently ranks last in the NHL with 27 goals. Clearly, something needs to change, and if Davidson is serious about accelerating the rebuild, there’s no harm in exploring whether a proven 30-goal scorer might be interested in reuniting with Kane.

Blackhawks are not on Larkin’s list, but they could be a wildcard team

Let’s address the obvious problem. Chicago isn’t among Larkin’s reported preferred destinations, and given how publicly his relationship with Detroit has deteriorated, it’s difficult to imagine him enthusiastically embracing another rebuilding organization. But circumstances change.

Who wouldn’t want a former first-round pick who is only 22 goals shy of 300 for his career?

Larkin is a proven winner internationally, an Olympic gold medalist, a former NHL captain, and a legitimate top-six center. Oh yeah, he’s also only 30.

In Winnipeg, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff repeatedly emphasized that he was waiting for the right deal involving Hellebuyck. Without being in the room, there’s no telling exactly what that meant. Now, in Detroit, newly appointed interim general manager Shawn Horcoff finds himself at the center of a firestorm.

Every day this saga continues, the Red Wings face more questions about how they’ll resolve a situation involving their former captain. Meanwhile, Chicago is searching for another piece of the puzzle, hoping to land someone who could help transform its promising young core into a legitimate playoff contender.

That’s why the Blackhawks should consider becoming a wildcard in the Larkin sweepstakes. Years ago, when Chicago and Detroit shared a division and conference, the idea of either franchise trading a cornerstone player to the other would have been almost unthinkable.

But times have changed. The two Original Six franchises no longer share a conference, and their once-intense rivalry doesn’t carry the same competitive implications it did during their battles in the Western Conference. That doesn’t guarantee Davidson an advantage in negotiations, but it removes one historical obstacle. The bigger challenge would be convincing Larkin that Chicago represents an opportunity worth accepting.

It all sounds ridiculous, but Larkin could be a difference-maker in Chicago

Of course, this potential blockbuster remains entirely hypothetical. Chicago isn’t on Larkin’s expanded trade list, and nobody is suggesting the Blackhawks are about to win the Stanley Cup this season or next. Furthermore, Larkin hasn’t publicly declared that he will only accept a trade to an immediate Stanley Cup contender.

However, judging by his preferred destinations, it’s reasonable to believe that winning sooner rather than later is a major priority. So, what if the Blackhawks approached him with a different proposition? What if they offered a reunion with Kane, an opportunity to skate with Bedard, and the chance to become an important part of the next great era of Chicago hockey? Instead of joining an established contender, Larkin could help build one.

For years, Detroit has struggled to turn its rebuilding efforts into playoff appearances. Despite developing talented players such as Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, the Red Wings haven’t assembled a roster capable of returning to the postseason. Meanwhile, Chicago has invested heavily in young talent through the draft, with Bedard representing the centerpiece of its future. Can Blackhawks fans imagine Larkin joining that group?

A proven NHL center who has already experienced the pressures of captaining an Original Six franchise could provide offensive production, veteran leadership, and additional depth down the middle. And with Kane already in Chicago, Larkin wouldn’t be walking into an entirely unfamiliar situation.

Naturally, acquiring him would come at a price. His $8.7 million cap hit and Detroit’s desire for a substantial return mean Davidson would need to consider what he’s willing to sacrifice. Chicago shouldn’t dismantle its future simply to acquire one established player. But that doesn’t mean the Blackhawks shouldn’t make the call.

In the end, Larkin appears determined to find a team capable of competing for the Stanley Cup. On paper, Chicago is further away from that goal than several clubs on his preferred list. There’s no denying that.

However, the Blackhawks have committed to rebuilding through young talent, and their prospects are beginning to gain the experience necessary to compete at the NHL level. It’s a process that should sound familiar to anyone who watched Kane and Jonathan Toews develop into championship-caliber players in the late 2000s.

The Blackhawks aren’t there yet, but adding someone with Larkin’s abilities could help shorten the distance between rebuilding and competing. And perhaps, sooner than expected, the United Center could once again be packed for meaningful hockey in late April and May.

Maybe Larkin never gets the opportunity to join one of his preferred destinations. Maybe Detroit eventually decides that the right offer matters more than waiting indefinitely. And maybe the Blackhawks have an opportunity nobody saw coming. Davidson should make his pitch, bring Kane into the conversation, and show Larkin that Chicago’s future doesn’t have to be years away.

With the right additions, that future could begin taking shape right now.

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