Miller’s Thoughts: Sharks Will Check In On Larkin But Trade Fit Doesn’t Make Sense

Mike Grier is projected to be very active in San Jose Sharks trade talks this summer. How much is real and how much is just checking in?

The biggest name on the trade block for the 2026 off-season is Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Larkin, 29, is entering year four of an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8.7 million. The centerman has requested a trade out of Detroit, a place he’s played his entire 11-year career with.

Larkin has played five playoff games, all coming in his rookie season. The center is itching to get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Red Wings have been knocking on the door for the last few seasons, but haven’t gotten in. After being a key component of Team USA’s gold-medal run at the 2026 Olympics, Larkin wants to play in high-stakes games.

Although the San Jose Sharks have a long playoff drought of their own, they want to make the jump now. Larkin’s initial list of preferred teams to be traded to isn’t surprising: the Minnesota Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Florida Panthers.

While he does have control with a no-move clause, the Red Wings won’t give away their No. 1 center. Reports suggest that GM Steve Yzerman has asked Larkin to expand his trade list. It is unclear at this time which teams those are, but the Sharks could be among them.

While the Sharks could be on Larkin’s expanded list, trading a package for a center shouldn’t be the top priority. Defense is not only what the San Jose Sharks need to focus on, but it’s also what their front office has said will be the priority.

Adding a consistent 30-goal center with strong defensive ability wouldn’t hurt the Sharks, but it would raise questions about other areas. Michael Misa is still 19 years old and is projected to become the No. 2 center behind Macklin Celebrini. Alexander Wennberg just signed a three-year extension. Pushing those two down the lineup to add Larkin doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.

I believe Grier will at least call the Red Wings to see what the asking price for Larkin is. That doesn’t mean the San Jose Sharks are truly interested in acquiring the gold medalist. Since taking over as GM, Grier has kept his interests close to his chest. That hasn’t stopped many reports linking the Sharks to various trade rumors.

Grier doesn’t shy away from saying he’s always listening to trade offers for anything on his roster, even the pick that got them Celebrini. As the guy tasked with building the team, Grier always wants to stay in the loop. He does a good job seeing what the market is, whether that’s for what other teams are offering him for his assets. Or him calling other teams to see what they might be looking for.

If Grier, or any NHL GM, doesn’t do that, they’re doing a disservice to their organization. Always listening and staying in the loop on market prices for players like Larkin allows them to set expectations and limits on what they want to do in a trade.

The San Jose Sharks will be a good hockey team in 26-27, and although adding Larkin would be great, it just doesn’t make sense given their depth and age down the middle. Don’t forget, Filip Bystedt is still waiting in the wings as another young center in the Sharks system.