TKACHUK TO FLORIDA: Impact on Larkin Trade and Yzerman ft. Prashanth Iyer - June 21st, 2026
6/22/20261 hr 19 min
This Detroit Red Wings podcast reacts to the Brady Tkachuk trade to the Florida Panthers & what it means for Red Wings trade rumors surrounding Dylan Larkin. Hockeytown news & analysis breaks down Yzerman's leverage, the looming Larkin return, and decisions on Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.
(00:00) - Brady Tkachuk Trade Reaction
The guys get into the blockbuster the second it broke, the Team USA "group chat" of it all, and why Ottawa fans might actually be the lucky ones here.
(03:45) - Breaking Down the Trade Details & Team USA Super Team Drama
The full package Florida sent to land Tkachuk, plus the earlier Mackie Samoskevich move to Seattle that set it all up. Also, players openly recruiting each other, the push to pull stars back across the border, and whether the league can do anything about it.
(11:45) - How This Affects the Red Wings
Why this trade sets the floor for a Dylan Larkin return and takes one team off his list.
(21:20) - Kane and DeBrincat Decisions
Whether Patrick Kane re-signs and how Detroit should handle a possible Alex DeBrincat extension.
(26:40) - Prashanth Iyer Interview
The "If I Were Steve Yzerman" piece (read here: https://prashanthiyer.substack.com/p/if-i-were-steve-yzerman-2026-edition), the Carolina blueprint, and chasing a future 1C through the Larkin trade.
(52:45) - Prospect Profile: Wyatt Cullen
The skilled USNTDP winger, his deception, and why he's climbing draft boards.
(56:35) - Prospect Profile: Maddox Dagenais
A big QMJHL power winger with a heavy shot - boom-or-bust second-round swing?
(1:03:50) - Overtime: Patron Questions & Draft Coverage Coming Up
Should the team make a Larkin statement, Yzerman's silence, and prospect misses of the past. Plu, upcoming NHL Draft Preview episode, the Friday live stream, and Patron-exclusive day two hangout.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
[upbeat music] Welcome to the Winged Wheel podcast, the number one source for news, analysis, and discussion on the Detroit Red Wings, the NHL, and all things hockey. Here are your hosts, Ryan Hanna, Brad Krysko, and Evan Lopsinger.
Brad Krysko· Host0:23
The ESPN 30 for 30 on the Team USA group chat is gonna be a doozy.
Ryan Hanna· Host0:33
Of so- uh, like this is-- We knew this was coming. I, for one, am shocked that th- that's what this all led to, that the Tkachuks would play together. Who knew? Brady said he wasn't... That's not what was o- on his mind.
Brad Krysko· Host0:47
Got mad at the media for continually asking, "Hey, are you gonna demand a trade? Hey, are you gonna go play with your brother in Florida?"
Ryan Hanna· Host0:54
Well- well, I mean, it- 'cause it is the crazy media's fault, 'cause the reason why they were asking is 'cause he was on a podcast with his dad and his brother who are openly recruiting him to go there. Which is, so like, where do they get off asking those questions, you know?
Evan Lobsinger· Host1:09
[laughs] It's a total surprise to me.
Ryan Hanna· Host1:11
A shock. [sighs] One season off for the Panthers, and they're back at it.
Evan Lobsinger· Host1:18
Well, at least now they don't have the ninth overall pick.
Ryan Hanna· Host1:20
Oh.
Evan Lobsinger· Host1:21
Feel a little bit better about that, I guess.
Ryan Hanna· Host1:23
That's their Achilles heel.
Brad Krysko· Host1:25
Is what's happening to Ottawa fans better or worse than what's happening to us, where