Dylan Larkin continues to expand his trade list, but the Montreal Canadiens keep getting left off it. Despite Larkin's reluctance to play in Montreal, the Canadiens and their fans are holding out hope. The Canadiens need a second-line centre, and Larkin is available, but he clearly does not see Montreal as a fit just yet.
That has not stopped Canadiens fans from trying to convince him. During the Canadiens 1-0 shootout win against the Detroit Red Wings, Habs fans made sure to let Larkin know that he is welcome in Montreal. “We want Larkin” chants echoed throughout the Bell Centre from puck drop. If Larkin ever thought about what type of reception he would receive if he were traded to Montreal, it is clear now that he would be embraced with open arms.
While Larkin has yet to change his mind, the Red Wings continue to do their due diligence, just in case a trade to Montreal becomes a real possibility. According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Detroit continues to scout Canadiens players in case Larkin decides to add Montreal to his list.
Red Wings doing their homework
“Detroit is actively scouting the Montreal Canadiens of late, among other teams of course, but doing their due diligence on the Canadiens in person just in case Dylan Larkin does add Montreal to that list,” LeBrun said on TSN's Hockey Insiders. That does not mean a trade is on the horizon, but if Larkin were to expand his trade list again and include the Canadiens, the Red Wings want to be prepared.
The Red Wings likely know what the Canadiens can offer. Montreal has already struck out in its attempts to acquire Matthew Knies and Kirill Marchenko, with the reported packages becoming real talking points. During the offseason, Frank Seravalli reported that the Canadiens made a “borderline insane” offer to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Marchenko, but they ultimately went with the Toronto Maple Leafs package.
Larkin's original three preferred trade destinations were the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. That list has since expanded to 10 teams. Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Utah Mammoth, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Washington Capitals are the newest teams added to his list.
What these teams have in common is that they present Larkin with the best chance at winning a Stanley Cup. The biggest obstacle to a trade with one of Larkin's preferred teams may be the return the Red Wings would receive, which could explain why a deal has yet to materialize. The Canadiens can offer a mix of prospects, picks, and current roster players, which is why they are not completely out of the running to acquire Larkin.
Cannot move forward without Larkin’s approval
Despite the Canadiens not being named to his new 10-team trade list, they remain interested in Larkin. The hardest part in making this trade a reality likely is not the trade package they would send to Detroit, but convincing Larkin to come to Montreal. However, if the Canadiens will not give up, the fans are following their lead.
“They're passionate fans. It's one of the best, the best atmosphere in hockey. They're knowledgeable and they love their team. So that's how I read into it,” Larkin said postgame about the chants about him coming to Montreal. The fans' reaction must have caught him off guard, especially considering they are not one of the teams in the running to acquire him. If there is one thing Canadiens fans are known for, it is their passion, and just like Larkin, they want to win. That is the best way to attract him to this city.
From a hockey perspective, there are few teams where Larkin would be a better fit. He would slot in behind Nick Suzuki, centring the team’s second line. He would play alongside Ivan Demidov and likely Chris Kreider, giving the Canadiens two lines that could compete with any team in the NHL. Larkin wants to win a Stanley Cup, and if he were to come to Montreal, he would make them serious contenders. Now, the Canadiens have to hope Larkin has a change of heart, but they cannot wait forever.
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