TVA Sports reporter Anthony Martineau says Dylan Larkin’s inner circle has serious reservations about him playing in Canada, and that detail helps explain why the reported trade talk with Montreal hit a wall.
The timing makes the story even sharper. The Red Wings are set to visit the Bell Centre tonight, and Martineau says there are plenty of opinions floating around about how Canadiens fans should react if Larkin steps on the ice.
He lays out three choices for the crowd: cheer, boo, or stay neutral. His own view is clear. He believes Montreal fans should give Larkin a warm welcome, even after the reported refusal to come to the Canadiens.
The logic is simple enough. Booing might feel natural after hearing that Larkin wasn’t eager to play in Montreal, but Martineau argues it wouldn’t change anything. A standing ovation, on the other hand, would at least send the right message about Canadiens fans.
Larkin, 30, has two points in two games this season and a minus-1 rating. His contract carries an $8.7 million cap hit.
Martineau also points out what Larkin could mean on the ice. Adding him would give Montreal a major lift, with the Red Wings forward sliding in behind Nick Suzuki as the second-line center. Still, he wonders whether a friendly reception would actually influence Larkin’s thinking.
In his words: "I've read and heard all sorts of analyses about the ideal welcome that the Bell Centre should give to Dylan Larkin tomorrow. Of course, the CH would immediately reach a higher level by adding the Red Wings' dynamic forward to its roster. But his entourage would have big reservations about seeing him play in Canada, according to several sources.
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