The asking prices for Dylan Larkin and Connor Hellebuyck are finally clear, and both the Red Wings and Jets are aiming high.
Darren Dreger said Detroit wants “three or four pieces” for Larkin: two A-quality prospects, a top-nine forward who can play in the NHL right now, and a first-round pick.
“There are a lot of teams with interest,” Dreger said, “but unfortunately for those teams, they're not on his trade list.”
That list reportedly includes Vegas, Minnesota, Florida, Colorado, Washington, Tampa Bay and Dallas. Most are contenders with little cap room and few spare assets.
The former captain carries an $8,700,000 cap hit through 2031, a contract Dreger called “incredible.” He has three points in five games this season.
Winnipeg's ask hasn't moved either. David Pagnotta said the Jets want “a second-line-caliber player, maybe two,” plus additional young assets for Hellebuyck.
Pagnotta did leave a door open: the price could shift to “one immediate piece and a larger futures-type package” to speed things up.
Shawn Horcoff and Kevin Cheveldayoff hold firm on two stars
Hellebuyck is still suspended for missing camp and has now forfeited more than $688,000 in salary. Reports suggest he may seek a return soon.
His last season wasn't his best, with an .895 save percentage and a 23-23-11 record in 57 games.
Meanwhile, Stuart Skinner has earned a point in all five of his starts, going 3-0-2 with a .906 save percentage. The Jets are 4-1-2.
Detroit sits at 2-3-2 and is still working through Simon Edvinsson's situation as well.
Both teams are right to hold firm. A star who wants out still has value, and selling cheap just to end the drama is how franchises lose trades for a decade.
It's like selling a house in a hot market. You don't drop the price just because the buyers are slow to call.
Winnipeg hosts Carolina on Saturday afternoon, and Detroit hosts San Jose that night.
The prices are out there now. The question is which contender blinks first, or whether either star simply runs out of patience.
Are the Red Wings and Jets asking too much for Larkin and Hellebuyck?
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