Detroit Red Wings may lose a third star forward in one summer

Pagnotta said depending on how the Larkin situation plays out, it will have a direct effect on DeBrincat's future in Detroit.

His takeaway was clear: maybe a few things are happening with the Wings this summer, not just one.

That's the piece of the story nobody has fully assembled yet. Detroit could exit this offseason having moved Larkin via trade, lost Patrick Kane to free agency - with Buffalo now emerging as a real landing spot - and dealt DeBrincat as well.

Three core forwards gone in one summer is not a pivot. That's a teardown, and Pagnotta's framing suggests Yzerman may already know it.

DeBrincat posted 41 goals and 85 points in 2025-26 at a $7.875 million cap hit. He has one year left on his deal, which makes him one of the most actionable trade pieces in the league right now.

One year of term on an elite winger is exactly the kind of asset that returns a first-round pick plus a high-end prospect.

A team in win-now mode - Carolina, Colorado, Florida - would clear room for DeBrincat without hesitation.

The timing matters too. His 41 goals were the most by a Red Wings player since Marian Hossa in 2008-09, meaning Yzerman would be selling at peak value if he pulls the trigger.

The Larkin decision isn't just about the captain - it's a public statement on where this franchise is headed.

If Larkin is moved, Kane walks in free agency, and DeBrincat follows, what remains is Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and youth.

That is not a retool. That's Yzerman telling the league Detroit is starting over, and the DeBrincat domino is the one nobody is watching closely enough.