Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland was in discussions with the Buffalo Sabres and GM Tim Murray for mammoth defenseman Tyler Myers, but ultimately balked at the Sabres' significant asking price.
"According to most reports, Buffalo was looking for Dylan Larkin, who is a tremendous young player," said NHL Insider Bob McKenzie, while appearing on NBCSN's Intermission Report, per NicholsOnHockey.com.
"The Red Wings, one of their top prospects. And they weren't prepared to give up him or Anthony Mantha."
While missing out on adding a player with Myers' prodigious physical skills at a position of need hurts in the here and now - if you're into the whole opportunity cost thing - it would probably have hurt just as much, if not more so, to see Larkin or Mantha, two of the Red Wings top prospects, leave in the deal.
With Larkin and Mantha both deemed untouchable, McKenzie believes Holland's ability to maneuver within the NHL trade market will be significantly hindered.
"And that's going to be an issue going forward here for the Detroit Red Wings as they look to try and bolster their blueline. Would they like a little more experience on the blueline? Yes they would. Whether it's Zbynek Michalek, or some of the other people - Cody Franson - that are out there," McKenzie said. "They don't really want to give up a first round pick or a second round pick for what arguably as what they need is more depth on a third pair, because they've already really got their top-4 in place."
While it remains to be seen if the ever-vigilant Holland will struggle to add a piece without moving one of his two young talents, he continues to scour the NHL landscape for defensive deals anyway.
Franson, the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, in particular, has been a named connected with the Red Wings in NHL trade rumors for some time.
ESPN's Craig Custance notes in his list of the top 20 NHL trade targets that Detroit is among a small handful of teams "leading the way" in the effort to acquire his services.
Franson's a big, right-handed blueliner with good, if not great movement ability, looking to cash in on his next deal and, seemingly, pricing himself out of Toronto.
If the price for Leafs GM Dave Nonis starts with either Larkin or Mantha, a deal clearly won't get done. But should the Leafs be willing to accept a lesser package of picks and/or prospects, perhaps Holland can seriously bolster the defensive strength of his roster by adding the young veteran rearguard.
