Happy Monday y'all! Hopefully you have recovered from that Game 3. What an incredible series the Stanley Cup Final has been thus far. The Vegas Golden Knights are up two games to one against the Carolina Hurricanes, but each game has been a one goal contest, with two ending in overtime. I know the people in Toronto are probably sick of hearing it, but Mitch Marner is a man playing possessed. He has scored two hat tricks in these playoffs, already broken the record for most points in a Golden Knights postseason, and if Vegas wins the Cup, most likely a Conn Smythe trophy.

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Chris MacFarland has been named General Manager and President of Hockey Operations for the Nashville Predators, leaving his post as GM for the Colorado Avalanche. MacFarland built a wagon of a squad for the Avs, but they don't have a single player in their lineup under the age of 27. Whoever comes in to take MacFarland's spot is going to have some decisions to make. Keep this window open or go under a quick retool.

Having Nate MacKinnon and Cale Makar, I don't think you ever go full rebuild (although Makar is a UFA next summer, so does the new GM in charge look to reshuffle the deck a little and acquire three or four really strong pieces for the defenseman). Or do they continue down this path and put extreme faith in their scouting department to find gems in the sand and develop them into everyday skaters; players like Logan O'Connor and Sam Malinski were undrafted free agents for this Avalanche organization. 

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A little bit of shocking (but not really that shocking if you think about it) news from the Detroit Red Wings; Dylan Larkin has requested a trade. Entering year four of an eight-year deal, the Michigan native wants out after missing another playoff berth. I'm sure 31 other teams would love to have the Red Wings captain, but let's focus on some teams from the Western Conference that make sense.

Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks took a big leap this year when they made the second round of the playoffs (and potentially lost to the Cup winner?). Anaheim had a nice mix of youth and veteran players while also having one of the best head coaches in history behind the bench. Adding a player like Larkin would really put them in a postseason contending status, and possibly a Cup contender?

Mason McTavish obviously struggled this year so he would be an easy starting point for a return (change of scenery), plus one of the many young Ducks defensemen. Throw in a conditional first round pick and another mid round selection and both teams are happy.

Calgary Flames: While the Flames have a ton of future assets, I don't think this is the direction either organization want to go.

Chicago Blackhawks: Another franchise that has a number of young players and assets to get this deal done, GM Kyle Davidson has never been one to make a blockbuster deal, more so building his team through the draft (Seth Jones wanted out so while I think it was a great move, his hand was forced).

Colorado Avalanche: Nope.

Dallas Stars: Nope.

Edmonton Oilers: If Detroit held on to Larkin for one more year and things were looking bleak in Edmonton, maybe some sort of package of Larkin and a younger player for Connor McDavid would be fun. Keeps the Oilers competitive while they still have Draisaitl, but this would be a long shot.

Los Angeles Kings: GM Ken Holland drafted Larkin many moons ago in Detroit and they do need to replace the recently retired Anze Kopitar. Larkin for Quinton Byfield? The trade is one for one.

Minnesota Wild: There are obviously a number of connections here, but can they figure the dollars out? Minnesota has two goalies so the center of the package is one of them. Plus a youngster like Danila Yurov, a B prospect, and conditional first rounder?

Nashville Predators: Like we said earlier, the Preds have a new GM behind the wheel and maybe he is looking to make a huge splash for his new club. Steven Stamkos has a connection with the Wings GM, Steve Yzerman, so maybe Stammer plus a young player to cover both sides of the spectrum?

St. Louis Blues: It sounds like the Blues want to keep this core intact and with the draft picks they added recently, they are wheels up in 2026. If Robert Thomas does want out, maybe that is a simple one for one swap, but St. Louis has a ton of draft capital along with some good young players.

San Jose Sharks: Another team that has a plethora of young guns, but their real need is on the backend. Maybe the Wings make it a two-fer and package a defenseman with Larkin for a couple of pieces.

Seattle Kraken: Larkin does not fit the middle-six narrative that is the entire Kraken lineup, so nope.

Utah Mammoth: Mammoth owner Ryan Smith has put his money where his mouth is, making a big in-season trade for MacKenzie Weegar and locking up a lot of their core this past year. Utah has a number of young prospects to move if Detroit wants to go that route.

Vancouver Canucks: While they are in a rebranding of their roster, Larkin doesn't fit.

Vegas Golden Knights: I could see it somehow happening, but no clue how the money would work.

Winnipeg Jets: Two of Larkin's Team USA teammates are already there and the Jets have the 8th overall selection, but I don't see anything else that they could add to entice Detroit.

Let me know what Western team you think would be best suited to grab Larkin. Hit me up on Twitter, @LAM1926

Have a great week everyone!