On Monday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman gave a new update on the situation surrounding Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin on his podcast, 32 Thoughts, saying it has become increasingly likely that the 30-year-old could expand his trade list to include the Montreal Canadiens.
"There's a time I would have said there was zero possibility this could happen. Zero. I think the line has moved," Friedman said.
Habs fans moved the needle themselves
According to Friedman, the former Detroit captain may have softened his stance on Montreal because of the reception he received when the Red Wings visited the Bell Centre, where fans chanted Larkin's name.
Larkin has been off to a mixed start so far this season, sitting with a goal and four assists for five points in nine games. The Michigan native is coming off a career-best scoring season with 34 goals and 33 assists for 67 points in 74 games.
Friedman also noted that Larkin is eager to get a deal done and leave Detroit. He has recently expanded his list to ten teams and could add more if no deal materializes, a group that could include Montreal.
"We Want Larkin" chants are raining down in Montreal as the Canadiens face the Wings 😠pic.twitter.com/794u1wkff1
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 10, 2026
The Canadiens and Red Wings have reportedly sent pro scouts to each other's games, a strong sign that both sides are evaluating one another's talent, with Detroit likely determining what it could ask for in return for Larkin.
Friedman said the best way for Canadiens GM Kent Hughes to move the needle is to make an offer Detroit can't refuse, even if Montreal isn't currently on Larkin's list. He described the situation from the perspective of Red Wings interim GM Shawn Horcoff, saying "you're not on the list, but you may have something I want, and if you can give me something that I like, or a deal that I would be willing to make."
"Montreal and Detroit would have to agree on a trade, and then Detroit would have to go to Larkin and say, 'Look, we've got a deal here for Montreal,'" Friedman explained. In other words, if the Habs can wow the Red Wings enough, Larkin himself would be the last piece that needs to sign off.
Multiple reports, and Friedman again, indicate Detroit is looking for young centers as part of any package. Montreal has several it could move, including pending restricted free agent Oliver Kapanen, Alexander Zharovsky, Michael Hage and Owen Beck, to name just a few.
From Montreal's end, a deal could come together easily with the only potential obstacle is whether Hughes is ready to go for broke or remains hesitant. If Montreal puts together a big enough offer, it may be able to convince a motivated Larkin to widen his trade list and finally land the second-line center it has been searching for.
The Canadiens would get the exact player they need, Detroit would add young, promising assets to fuel its rebuild, and Larkin would get to play for a team with a real chance to contend. It would be a deal that could satisfy everyone involved with the only thing left is getting it done.
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