The Montreal Canadiens aren’t just interested in Dylan Larkin - they sound prepared to move fast if Detroit ever gives them the opening.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, Montreal already has a package lined up for the Red Wings and believes it could be enough to close the deal. The only catch is that Larkin still has to place the Canadiens on his preferred trade list before anything can move.
“Detriot calls up Kent Hughes, Montreal’s GM, and says, ‘Alright, Larkin is willing to come to Montreal’… it’s going to take maybe an hour. They just gotta do the paperwork. I think Montreal has an offer that they’re ready to present to Detroit that they believe will either get them right to the finish line or over the finish line.”
Pagnotta made that point while speaking on Daily Faceoff and episode 3 of the DFO Rundown, and he doubled down on the idea that the Canadiens are sitting on a serious offer if Larkin ever gives the green light.
“I think Montreal has an offer that they're ready to present to Detroit [for Larkin]… that will get them over the finish line”
Fans in Montreal have already made their feelings known. When Detroit came to town this past week, 20,000 people at the Bell Centre broke into chants of “We want Larkin!”.
Jeff Marek raised the possibility that the moment could have nudged Larkin toward Montreal. Pagnotta didn’t go that far, but he did say the scene was entertaining and praised the Bell Centre crowd.
Larkin heard it all. After the game, he told reporters, “It was interesting,” he told reporters after the game.
“I never would have imagined that in this building in my career. They’re passionate fans; this is, in my opinion, the best atmosphere in hockey.
They’re knowledgeable and they love their team, so that’s how I read into it. But after a few seconds, it was just back to focusing on the game.”
Even with the buzz, the trade front hasn’t really moved.
On Monday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman said a deal is never impossible, but still not the most likely outcome. “I always say, ‘never say never,’ until it’s done. I still think it’s unlikely.”
Red Wings GM Shawn Horcoff echoed that general tone on Wednesday, calling the situation “status quo” with Larkin.
When asked what that meant, Horcoff pointed to the circumstances around the player’s recent stretch.
“With Dylan, a few things. He’s had a tough month.
Obviously there’s a lot going on with Dylan, but I think on top of it, the injury probably came at a really inopportune time for him. I think it’s going to take some time, and he’s working back through that, and it’s only going to get easier for him as things go on here and he starts to find his game and his legs a little bit more.
It hasn’t been easy for him.”
Horcoff didn’t offer any fresh update on Larkin’s trade request, and he also didn’t say which teams might be on the forward’s list.
“He’s got the full support of management and his teammates and the coaching staff in there, and he’s come back and really came to play right off the bat. And I think the fans have recognized that,” he said.
For now, the possibility still feels remote. But with insiders continuing to circle the story, the idea of Montreal as a landing spot hasn’t gone away. Friedman said he thinks Larkin has at least considered it, even if he still doesn’t view it as a likely outcome.
“I think he’s at least considered it. But I don’t know that it’s likely,” added Friedman.
Horcoff also said Red Wings fans are starting to warm back up to Larkin after a rough stretch.
“Obviously there were some tough times for him, I would say, early, but through his effort and through his work and obviously the acknowledgment of it being a difficult situation and Dylan, to his own word, manning up to it, I think you’re starting to see a little bit of reaction from the fans in terms of understanding that, listen, Dylan’s here and he’s doing the best to play his best out there for the Red Wings.”
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