The off-season is full of big name players either signing new contracts or joining new clubs. This year, several big ticket players are on the docket. However, despite what insiders say, big names don’t always mean best fit.Â
Recent headlines have surrounded Dylan Larkin and his desire to leave the Detroit Red Wings. Larkin made it clear he doesn’t see a future for himself within the organization, resulting in being stripped of his captaincy and alternative options being discussed. Larkin is certainly a desirable player with many teams wanting to trade for him, however not all of them make sense.Â
Insider David Pagnotta claims the Sharks are a team that could potentially target Larkin, but this is not an option that even remotely makes sense for the team for two reasons.Â
Firstly, there isn’t a spot in the line up where he makes sense. Macklin Celebrini in no circumstance is being bumped off the first line. Larkin doesn’t seem like the type of player who’d be happy with not having that top spot, but even if he was, Michael Misa doesn’t deserve to be bumped to the third line. The team is already extremely forward heavy, especially with incoming Ivar Stenberg and Quentin Musty and Filip Bystedt ready to make the jump to the NHL from the AHL. Â
Secondly, Larkin is expensive. General Manager, Mike Grier, has already thrown an obscene amount of money at players like Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba. With a Celebrini contract extension looming overhead, plus several important entry level contracts coming to an end in the next two seasons, the Sharks need to be smart about how money is being spent. Even if Celebrini takes a discount, which wouldn’t be surprising, adding Larkin doesn’t leave much money for other pressing elements of the club. Plus, Larkin would need to be traded for (on top of paying his big salary). With the large amount of young talent on the team, it’s not worth trading them away or taking playing time away from them.
All in all, Dylan Larkin going to San Jose doesn’t make a lick of sense. Throwing a bunch of big names on a team isn’t always a recipe for success, and for the Sharks it’s not money or assets worth spending.
Add us as a preferred source on Google