Kent Hughes is reportedly ready to swing big again, and this time the target could be Dylan Larkin.
The Canadiens general manager has already been linked to a massive offer in recent days, and according to insider Frank Seravalli, Montreal had put together a serious package for Kirill Marchenko after also missing out on Matthew Knies. That deal was said to include two forwards and one defenseman from the regular lineup, plus a first-round pick and a conditional pick. In other words, a real all-in type of proposal.
Now that same kind of framework is being floated as a possible path to Larkin.
One NHL executive reportedly said Montreal is the only team that can meet the price. That alone makes this situation worth watching closely.
The catch is obvious: Larkin does not want to play in Canada, at least for now. But the situation in Detroit is getting uglier by the day for the former captain.
Red Wings fans booed him at the home opener, then went after him again the moment he stepped on the ice for his first shift last night. The relationship between Larkin and the organization looks badly damaged, and his options appear to be widening.
If Hughes does decide to build a package along the same lines, names like Kirby Dach or Arber Xhekaj could be in play. The most intriguing piece, though, is prospect Michael Hage.
Hage is currently at the University of Michigan with Will Horcoff, the son of Red Wings general manager Sean Horcoff.
For now, the final move sits with Larkin. If he waives his clause, Montreal could become a real landing spot.
In Other News...
Former Canadiens Prospect Suddenly Has A Lot Riding On This Return
William Trudeaus path has taken an abrupt turn this fall, and it has already brought him to a place he probably could not have scripted when the season began. The former Canadiens prospect surfaced with the Nashville Predators after being cut by the New York Rangers, then claimed on waivers, and he has wasted little time getting his first NHL minutes under a new set of circumstances. Predators coach Andrew Brunette has liked what he has seen so far, which matters for a player trying to show he can stick at this level.
The next step comes with an extra layer of emotion, because Trudeau is set to line up against Montreal, the organization that once held his rights. He has been used in limited minutes in his first games with Nashville, so every shift has carried a little more weight as he tries to carve out a longer look. For a young defenseman trying to turn an opportunity into something more permanent, this return carries the kind of stakes that can quickly shape the rest of his season. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Suddenly Face A Goaltending Decision That Could Last Awhile
Samuel Montembeaults status has suddenly put the Canadiens in a familiar spot, with the team waiting on more information after the goalie dealt with a right leg injury and went through medical tests recently. The next step is an evaluation by team doctors, and that examination will help determine just how serious the issue is and what kind of timetable Montreal may be looking at for its starter.
For the moment, the Canadiens are moving ahead with a different crease plan. Jacob Fowler has been recalled and will get the start against the Nashville Predators, while Jakub Dobes is there to back him up as Montreal braces for the possibility that this could affect its goaltending picture for more than just one night. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Blew Another Lead But Two Lineup Bright Spots Emerged
The Canadiens had a chance to settle things down after jumping out to a 2-0 lead against Nashville, but the game slipped away late when the Predators scored three unanswered goals, including two empty-netters. The loss fit an early-season pattern for Montreal, which has had trouble protecting leads and has also been stuck in some rough second periods, where momentum has tilted away from the group far too often.
Still, there were a couple of encouraging signs buried in the defeat. Adam Engstrom, in his first appearance of the season, looked solid alongside Arber Xhekaj on the third defense pair despite limited ice time, and the second forward line posted the best expected goals-for percentage on the club. For a team searching for cleaner minutes and more stability, those are the kinds of details that matter even when the final score does not cooperate. [Read more 🡒]