Detroit Red Wings management may be targeting Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas as part of a potential trade package involving captain Dylan Larkin, according to a report published Friday by Yahoo Sports.
The report, authored by Nestor Quixtan, suggests the Red Wings have identified the Capitals' young forward as a player of interest should Detroit explore moving its longtime centerpiece. Larkin, 29, has served as Detroit's captain since 2021 and remains under contract through the 2028-29 season with an $8.7 million annual cap hit.
Protas, a 2019 third-round selection by Washington, has developed into one of the Capitals' top forward prospects. The 23-year-old Belarusian winger posted 29 points in 53 AHL games with Hershey last season and made his NHL debut in 2023-24, appearing in five games for Washington.
Neither organization has publicly commented on trade discussions. The Red Wings, currently in a retooling phase under general manager Steve Yzerman, have consistently stated their intention to build around Larkin rather than move him. However, with Detroit missing the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons, speculation about the franchise center's future has intensified in recent months.
Any potential deal would likely require significant additional assets moving to Washington given Larkin's status as a top-line center in his prime. The Capitals, meanwhile, remain in win-now mode around Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record.
