The Ottawa Senators should be looking to bolster their roster this summer after being swept in the first round of the playoffs this year. It is clear that the Senators still need to make some upgrades if they hope to be legitimate contenders in 2026-27.
One need that the Senators have heading into the offseason is another star forward. Because of this, they should make a massive push for Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin this summer.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Thursday that Larkin has requested a trade from the Red Wings. Centers like Larkin do not hit the trade market often, and the Senators would be incredibly wise to pursue him because of it.
If the Senators landed Larkin, he would give them an amazing one-two punch down the middle with Tim Stutzle. This would help the Senators' chances of taking that next step and being a real threat in the Eastern Conference next season. It is no secret that true contenders need to have elite center depth, and bringing in Larkin would provide the Senators with just that.
When looking at a specific spot in the Senators' lineup where Larkin could fit, he could work wonderfully on a line with Brady Tkachuk and pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) Claude Giroux, assuming the 38-year-old re-signs in Ottawa. Larkin would also give the Senators another superstar to work with on their power play, which is a need for them.
In 74 games this season with the Red Wings, Larkin had 34 goals, 33 assists, 67 points, and a plus-3 rating. With numbers like these, he would be a home run addition for the Senators if brought in. However, with Larkin being a proven first-line center, there is no question that they will have a lot of competition to land him if they enter the sweepstakes.
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