One top bidder emerges for Dylan Larkin, according to Frank Seravalli, but there's a problem
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Daniel Lucente
Jun 14, 2026 (1:54 PM)
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Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Frank Seravalli says the Minnesota Wild have more than enough to land Dylan Larkin. The problem? Their best trade chip just disappeared.
Appearing on the FAN Morning Show, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli said the Wild possess the assets to make a Larkin deal happen.
Re Dylan Larkin: "I think the Wild have more of enough assets to get this done."
- Frank Seravalli
- Frank Seravalli
That reads well as a soundbite, but it doesn't account for what Michael Russo of The Athletic quietly revealed this week.
The Wild had planned to include goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in a trade package targeting Larkin. That plan is now off the table.
With Filip Gustavsson injured heading into next season, Wallstedt has gone from a coveted trade chip to an untouchable roster necessity.
The asset problem nobody is naming
Wallstedt wasn't just a sweetener - he was the centerpiece of how Bill Guerin's front office intended to structure a competitive offer for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.
Without him, Guerin has to build around Danila Yurov and Charlie Stramel, two prospects he has been historically reluctant to move.
Steve Yzerman doesn't have to take less from Minnesota just because Larkin wants to go there.
The Florida Panthers reportedly could offer the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 draft as part of a package.
The Vegas Golden Knights have top prospect Pavel Dorofeyev, and Minnesota's cap space advantage won't prevent Yzerman from demanding the best possible return.
The list is already growing
Pierre LeBrun reported this week that Yzerman has already gone back to Larkin's camp asking him to expand his original three-team list beyond the Wild, Panthers, and Golden Knights.
Anaheim, Tampa Bay, and the New York Islanders are reportedly now in consideration, and every team added to that list gives Yzerman more leverage to push Minnesota's price higher.
Seravalli may be right that the intent is there on both sides of this deal. But intent doesn't fill the hole that Wallstedt's unavailability just created in Guerin's trade package.
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