What does Dylan Larkin want?That’s the most important question of all in Larkin’s shocking (but maybe not so shocking) trade request this week. And when it comes to the interests of the Maple Leafs that’s the first hurdle to overcome: Does Larkin want to be a Leaf? Would he waive the no-trade clause in his contract to come to Toronto?If the answer is yes, the Leafs and new GM John Chayka should absolutely get into the bidding.The Leafs really have only one sure thing down the middle — assuming he wants to return — and that’s Auston Matthews.After that, it’s all question marks.The Leafs need at least two centres and maybe three depending on the next course of action with John Tavares.Tavares will be 36 in the fall and entering his 18th NHL season. Asking him to fill the No. 2 centre role yet again, at this stage in his career, isn’t viable if the Leafs are serious about vaulting back into the playoff mix and contending for the Stanley Cup next season.Which is where Larkin comes in.The 29-year-old, with a career high to this point of 79 points, is perhaps a touch under-qualified to be a No. 1 centre on a Cup contender. But he’d be overqualified as a No. 2 behind Matthews.The two American centres could help each other as teammates.Larkin would ease some pressure on Matthews at both ends of the ice. He could siphon some of the many difficult defensive-zone faceoffs that Matthews lined up for last season and provide another layer of scoring support behind the Leafs’ captain.Larkin is one of only seven players in the NHL to score 30 goals or more in each of the past five seasons. The others: Kyle Connor, Leon Draisaitl, Jake Guentzel, Nathan MacKinnon, William Nylander and Alex Ovechkin.Larkin has one goal fewer in that stretch (160) than Tavares in 21 fewer games.As Detroit’s No. 1 centre, Larkin was facing the toughest of the opposition every night.That wouldn’t be the case with the Leafs.Larkin’s competition would ease with Matthews around to grab the snarliest attention.Add Larkin, meanwhile, and the Leafs could finally afford to be flexible with Tavares.