One of the biggest items on Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman’s checklist this offseason is a potential contract extension with captain Dylan Larkin. The 25-year-old center is signed through 2022-23 and would become an unrestricted free agent next offseason if a deal isn’t reached. It seemed as though Yzerman and the Red Wings front office would be negotiating that extension with KO Sports, but last night Max Bultman of The Athletic reported that Larkin has changed representation. He’s now with CAA, represented by Matt Williams and NHL super-agent Pat Brisson.
It appears as though that was a very unexpected decision, given the statement that Kurt Overhardt, CEO of KO Sports, released to Bultman today:
From a relationship standpoint, Dylan Larkin worked primarily with my business partner, Joe Oliver. Throughout the past 11 years, Joe has thoughtfully guided Dylan through countless matters both on and off the ice. There was never a single issue raised between Dylan and Joe for the entirety of their professional relationship and Joe was completely blindsided by this decision. For the past several months, Joe had been working directly with Dylan in preparation to negotiate his contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings.
As with all of our clients, our work on behalf of Dylan was at the highest standard in all situations. We are very disappointed in his decision and the timing.
Obviously, the interest of the agents is to remain with a client through what should be a massive negotiation, and Overhardt’s statement should be taken with a grain of salt. But it does confirm for Red Wings fans that Larkin is ready to negotiate this offseason–or at least was with his previous representation.
While KO Sports is no small outfit, moving to CAA takes Larkin right to the top. Brisson has more than $1B in negotiated active contracts according to PuckPedia, including clients like John Tavares, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Anze Kopitar, all players with an average annual value of at least $10MM. For what it’s worth (which may be nothing), Brisson currently has just one client with the Red Wings–Jared McIsaac–and none with Yzerman’s former outfit in Tampa Bay.
Larkin is coming off quite the platform year to start negotiating. Reinvigorated by his young, up-and-coming teammates, the speedy forward scored 31 goals and 69 points in 71 games. His overall production is similar to CAA client Matt Duchene through the early part of his career; Duchene ended up signing a seven-year, $56MM contract with the Nashville Predators when he hit the open market in 2019. He did negotiate a multi-year deal with the Red Wings for Anthony Mantha in 2020.
Players signed through 2022-23 are eligible for extensions on July 13, when free agency opens this year.
Larkin is a second line center masquerading as a first line center. The Wings are going to have to end up paying him 7.5 million a season but it’s really for the load he carries not that he is super talent. He may have had a decent season but he still ranked 44th in points in the NHL.
Larkin makes more than you Coleen
Larkin has proved he is a 1st line center this past season and worthy of the captaincy. His change in agents looks as if he is positioning himself for a Duchene like deal and deservedly so. Hopefully Stevie acquires a 2nd line C, and a top4 LD to propel this team forward to a much better compete level.
If this team hopes to truly contend in the future, Larkin is best suited as a second line center. Saying he is worthy of the captaincy is also an odd statement to make considering you’re not in their locker room and have no clue how he acts behind the scenes. Paying any more than $7-7.5 million for him would be an overpayment.
Sorry, the Wings will likely not seriously contend if he is the answer as a first line center going forward.
It’s not having what you want
It’s wanting what you’ve got,
pay the man, ;-)
I agree by the time they are making runs for the cup every year he is likely falling into the 2C role or at least they have another player like him and can move 1C/2C depending on the line needs. However, I think Larkin knows what the next few years hold and it won’t be easy to work through the falling short phase until they get the playoffs figured out. Plus he will argue the cap is going up and there is a premium for being captain. I can see him going to 8M or maybe 8.5M max if he has to. Anything beyond that or especially along with NMC for the duration and I can see Yzerman backing off and even letting him walk. He has a NTC now so he cannot just trade him. But he won’t handicap the team long term either. Better to lose him than end up in cap hell due to making bad contract for fear of losing players like Holland did.
Being a good forward in this league is a good place to be considering how watered down the available talent pool is due to expansion. Everyone wants and needs a player like Larkin.
(scritches his head) So … who wants to tell me how many multiple-30 goal scorers (for lousy teams, yet) are #2 centers? Larkin had as many goals last year as guys like Crosby, Huberdeau and MacKinnon had.
I like Larkin but he is no top 5 superstar either. Can he become one? Maybe since anything can happen but not paying him like one yet. You can point to Marner and many others to see where overpay hurts rather than helps you get cups. Even if the player is good.
He is no Crosby (not in his prime now) or at that elite level, he is very good, but it is more than stats. Crosby has won cups, has tons of playoff experience, was best player on the ice leading his team to a gold medal etc. and if you would take Larkin over him I seriously doubt your judgement. Fact that you are comparing them due to stats this year is not a good sign you see Larkin’s true value. Larkin makes more than the other two right now I think. So what do you say he is worth? 10,5M? 11.5M? NMC for the duration? How much should Yzerman give in to him if he going to push for MAX contract before you think he is not worth it? If his new agent convinces him 8Y/11M+ NMC and no less or bust are you still thinking they should sign him and “pay the man”? Thankfully Yzerman is not looking at today he is looking at 4-5 years from now and here this contract fits in to the team making annual cup runs like TBL.
Thank goodness Yzerman is in charge and not the armchair GMs with the “Pay the Man” mantra. All these fools wanting to spend to the cap just to make the playoffs are crazy. Sure they have cap now but in the future if this team is going for cups in 3-5 years (which is how far out annual cup contender status is) where does Larkin fit in? Not as a 1C making 10.5M with a NMC. Maybe as a 2C or part of a 1C/2C combo but they both can’t be making 10M or it means players are costing too much in the overall cap and the team will suffer and not win. I think he will go to maybe 8 -8.5M range as max. If his new agent convinces him to not accept anything less than 10-10.5M there will be a problem. Yzerman will lose him to FA land before handicapping the team in the future. Of course, Holland gave him a NTC clause so he can’t even just trade him for the boatload of capital he would be able to otherwise. See how bad contract terms handicap the team/GM from doing good things. If he want 8Y/10M+ NMC or bust he may get that in FA after this year but I don’t see him getting that now. I would fully support Yzerman holding his ground too.