The Hurricanes made the cut for Dylan Larkin, and injuries make it an interesting fit

At this point in the season, the ongoing trade requests of Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin are old hat. Everyone talks them to death until a new report comes out, and it leads to even more speculation. Those talking points become stale until something new leaks. It's a never-ending news cycle, and it has become a tad tiresome over the last few months.

The big difference between Larkin and Hellebuyck right now is that Larkin is actually playing hockey for the Detroit Red Wings, while Hellebuyck is training at home. Despite an icy reception from the fans, Larkin is playing relatively well, recording a goal and four assists in seven games after an injury caused him to miss the first few games.

On Tuesday, the news surrounding Larkin got a jolt when his ten-team trade list was revealed. Larkin's initial list this summer featured just Vegas, Florida, and Minnesota before he added Dallas as a fourth option. This new revelation has brought the Hurricanes into the fold, in a way. Carolina is among the ten teams that Larkin would accept a trade to, though that's hardly a surprise.

After all, the Hurricanes are the defending champions, and they're off to another very good start this season. Two weeks ago, I would've completely dismissed the idea of the Canes trying to acquire Larkin. However, given the current state of their forward group, the prospect of a trade has grown all the more tantalizing.

Current injuries are an issue, but it's not a reason to get trigger happy

The Canes' forward depth has taken a hit over the last little bit. That's especially true for their centers. Jordan Staal is out for at least a month, and Mark Jankowski's status is unknown after he left the road trip early. Jordan Martinook has been filling in on the third line, but there is another route that the Hurricanes could take.

Of course, trying to bark up this tree is much easier said than done for a few reasons. It's not a matter of money. Larkin has four years left on his contract worth $8.7 million per season, but the Canes can accommodate that. The real issue is how it affects the lineup. The Canes can find room for him on the second or third line while Staal and Jankowski are out. But what happens when they're healthy?

If the projected timeline is to be believed, Staal should be back in November or December, with January being the absolute latest. We don't know Jankowski's prognosis yet, so speculating is tough to do. Truthfully, Jesperi Kotkaniemi has looked pretty good when he has played this season, recording points in three straight games after Tuesday's victory in Vancouver.

The team has invested a lot of money and put a lot of faith in Logan Stankoven to be their second-line center of the future. They could've made a move last year to fortify that position, but they opted not to, and it worked out beautifully for them in the postseason. Moving him back to the wing, where the team already has a logjam, wouldn't really make sense.

The package to acquire Larkin presents a separate issue

Another hurdle to clear is the asking price, which is in the ballpark of three or four quality pieces. The Red Wings want at least two good prospects, a Top 9 player, and a first-round pick for Larkin. Given the term left on his deal, it's not the most insane ask in the world, but teams will likely be hesitant to part with something like that, Carolina included.

The same names are going to float around. Obviously, as long as Alexander Nikishin isn't signed, he'll be the first person mentioned. People will try to put Kotkaniemi in that mix, and he's only helped his case. Jayden Perron has improved his stock, tearing it up for Michigan to start the season. His already being in the same state could make signing his entry-level deal easier.

When the news broke in June about Larkin seeking a trade, I talked about the Canes poking around and seeing if something was feasible. That was back when we didn't know who was on Larkin's trade list. Now that Carolina might be an option, Eric Tulsky could be on the phone trying to see what the Red Wings are thinking. Will it lead to anything? Doubtful, but never say never with this front office.

Of the ten teams on Larkin's trade list, I'd place the Canes near the bottom of the list to acquire him. Obviously, he is a very good player and could help the team overcome their short-term injury issues. I just don't think the long-term concerns about how the roster would be configured make it a worthwhile move. Regardless of its likelihood, don't expect the Canes to go away quietly.

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