Dylan Larkin’s trade market already has a wrinkle, and it’s a big one: Montreal is out.
According to the latest update, the Canadiens are not on Larkin’s list of approved destinations. That matters because Montreal looked like a natural fit on paper.
The Canadiens had the kind of picks, prospects, and cap-friendly contracts that could have made them a strong partner for Detroit. But none of that helps if Larkin won’t sign off, and with a full no-trade clause, he holds the leverage.
That leaves Detroit waiting and sorting through a smaller pool of possibilities. Minnesota is still being mentioned, but it comes with its own complications as the team tries to lock down a Quinn Hughes extension.
That makes taking on another major contract a tougher sell right now. Beyond that, the names are more speculative than concrete - Vegas, Tampa, and maybe a sleeper like Utah.
For now, this looks like a process that could drag on.
While Larkin’s situation continues to cloud Detroit’s options, MacKenzie Weegar weighed in on a different NHL trend: players wanting out of Canadian markets. On OverDrive, Weegar made it clear he’s not a fan of what he’s seeing.
He spoke warmly about his time in Calgary, praising the fans and the passion around the team, and suggested the city could become even more attractive once the new arena is built. He also acknowledged that American markets can offer more in certain ways, but still called the overall trend “a bit unfortunate.”
Weegar’s comments carried an edge, whether intentional or not. His message was simple: it shouldn’t matter where you play.
Wearing an NHL jersey is an honour. That viewpoint lands as a subtle jab at players who are actively trying to steer their way into specific markets.
Edmonton, meanwhile, looks a little sharper in hindsight. The Oilers weren’t blindsided by Frederik Andersen missing the start of the season.
They saw this coming and built around it. GM Stan Bowman said the injury is a lingering issue rather than something new, and he made it clear the team never expected Andersen to be a true workhorse at this stage, given his age and injury history.
That’s why Edmonton didn’t have to scramble. Jarry and Levi are there to handle real minutes early in the year, and the Oilers structured things with that reality in mind.
Last season, they were forced to react and added Jarry on the fly. This time, they signed Andersen at a low cost, accepted the risk, and made sure there was a Plan B from the start.
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