If there was ever a time for Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek to make a bold move, now would be the time. An Elliotte Friedman bomb shell of a report dropped on the collective hockey world, just mere hours before puck drop on Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, and Dylan Larkin has requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. The Ducks are in need of a sizeable upgrade to the lineup, after falling short to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Larkin definitely fits the bill. But what would that kind of trade cost?
Moving off the right, but depreciated asset
Mason McTavish
While there may still be some trader's remorse, after the Ducks may have traded the wrong center to the Philadelphia Flyers, but the Ducks and especially Verbeek, should not make the same mistake this time. McTavish may have been the big winner last summer, but his play this past season was anything but second line caliber. In his fourth full season, McTavish played in 75 games and registered 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists). McTavish was demoted down the lineup as the season progressed, as Mikael Granlund took over second line center responsibilities, and McTavish either found himself on the wing or scratched from the lineup entirely, more notably in the postseason.
While the Ducks coaching staff may have lost faith in the young center, McTavish still has the pedigree and draft stock as a franchise piece. McTavish may never be a number one center, but he should at least become a number two center on a contending team. And the same can be said of Larkin, as he would behind Leo Carlsson if the Red Wing found his way to Anaheim. As good as Granlund has been for the Ducks (41 points in 58 regular season games), Larkin would be a much better fit as the number two center, and he would give the Ducks an immediate upgrade to their forward group.
And a young defenseman
Olen Zellweger or Pavel Mintyukov
With Zellweger and Mintyukov heading into the offseason as unsigned RFAs, Detroit could have their pick between the two young blue liners. Zellweger had 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) in 76 regular season games, but like McTavish, he was scratched during the postseason. Mintyukov had comparable regular season numbers to Zellweger's, with 22 points as well (8 goals, 14 assists), but Mintyukov really found his groove in the Ducks 2026 postseason run. Even though he did not find the score sheet in the playoffs, Mintyukov became a regular fixture on the Ducks blue line, skating alongside fellow rumored trade target, John Carlson.
And a pick
But which one?
The Ducks do not own a first round pick in the 2026 draft, due to the trade for Carlson from the Washington Capitals. However, the Ducks do have a pick in every subsequent round and at least some draft capital to work with. If the Ducks really wanted to sweeten the pot though, they could trade away their 2027 first rounder instead.
But not much more
Keep away from the high-end prospects
The Ducks should not be adding more in a potential Larkin trade, as their pipeline features burgeoning defenseman Stian Solberg and the probable McTavish replacement in Roger McQueen. As good as Larkin is, he is not Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, and an inclusion of either prospect would be an overpay, when combined with any of the previously listed trade pieces.
Final thoughts
The Ducks have a very narrow shopping list for the offseason and Larkin would definitely cross off a need. McTavish, a young defenseman, and a pick should get a deal done, but until Verbeek proves himself capable of making that signature big trade, it's all just speculation and hope. Plus, Larkin will probably end up in Vegas anyways.
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