Dylan Larkin trade request tests Steve Yzerman, but Red Wings GM has been here before
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- In 2014, Steve Yzerman, then GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, successfully managed a trade request from captain Martin St. Louis by sending him to the New York Rangers, securing a strong return including Ryan Callahan and multiple draft picks.
- Yzerman also navigated a prolonged trade request from Jonathan Drouin in 2015-2017, holding firm through a holdout and ultimately trading him for defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, demonstrating his patience and insistence on valuable returns.
- The current trade request from Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin echoes these past situations, with Yzerman facing pressure to balance respecting Larkin’s preferences and obtaining a suitable deal given Larkin’s age, contract, and importance to the team.
- Yzerman’s history shows he does not rush decisions under pressure and prioritizes the team's best interests, even if it means waiting for the right offer or managing difficult player relations.
- How Yzerman resolves Larkin’s trade request will significantly impact his legacy in Detroit, just as the St. Louis and Drouin trades were pivotal moments in his tenure with Tampa Bay.